Somewhere under a lost and lonely hill of grim and fore­
boding aspect lies a labyrinthine crypt. It is filled with
terrible traps and not a few strange and ferocious monsters
to slay the unwary. It is filled with rich treasures both
precious and magical , but in addition to the aforemen­
tioned guardians, there is said to be a demilich who still
wards his final haunt. (Be warned that tales told have it
that this being possesses powers which make him nearly
undefeatable!)
Accounts relate that it is quite unlikely that any adven­
turers will ever find the chamber where the demilich
Acererak lingers, for the passages and rooms of the tomb
are fraught with terrible traps, poison gases, and magical
protections. Furthermore, the demilich has so well hidden
his lair that even those who avoid the pitfalls will not be
likely to locate their true goal. So only large and well­
prepared parties of the bravest and strongest should even
consider the attempt, and if they do locate the tomb, they
must be prepared to fail. . . .
HORROR NEVER DIES
The text above, penned by Gary Gygax, heralded Tomb of
Horrors' assault on an unsuspecting hobby in 1978. One of
a handful of now-classic adventure modules published in
the earliest days of the ADVANCED DUNGEONS & DRAG­
ONS@game, The Tomb made its first appearance three
years before as the official D&D®tournament adventure
at the Origins I gaming convention. It used the original
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS® rules, published in 1974. In the
time since, the adventure has become a legend in gaming
circles-loved by some, vilified by others, and indelibly
burned into the memories of every player and DM who set
their imaginations loose vvithin it.
In 1998, the original adventure became the centerpiece
for (and was reprinted as part of) the legendary Return to
the Tomb ofHorrors boxed set for 2nd Edition AD&D®. At
the height of3rd Edition's popularity, Return author Bruce
R. Cordell updated the adventure as a free release.
Now, the most legendary dungeon crawl in gaming
history has been updated for 4th Edition D&D rules. In
keeping with the spirit of the new edition, the challenges
herein might prove more calculated and consistent than
those of the original adventure. Be warned, however, that
the challenges can be just as deadly. Characters who sur­
vive the adventure should attain 11th level and will have
begun to make a name for themselves as they cross from
the heroic to the paragon tier.
THE WORLD OF THE TOMB
Gary Gygax's World ofGreyhawk® campaign provided the
setting for the original Tomb ofHorrors, which suggested
a number of possible locations for the tomb. Return to the
Tomb of Horrors set the legendary dungeon in the Great
Swamp of the remote county ofSunndi-and expanded on
the scope of Acererak's evil.
Evil humanoids and undead, drawn to the site of the
tomb, founded a settlement called the City of Skulls, or
Skull City. Priests and necromancers of the Bleak Acad­
emy-a sinister cabal dedicated to the worship ofAcererak
as a deity-lead the city. Skull City played a part in the
Acererak lore in Open Grave. Robert]. Schwalb further
updated Skull City for 4th Edition in "The Legacy ofAcer­
erak " (Dra8on #371).
Place the Tomb of Horrors wherever you like in your
campaign world. This adventure follows Schwalb's lead
by placing the tomb at the center of the City of Skulls
and granting the Bleak Academy control of access to the
tomb; this adventure also sets the backstory of the new 4th
Edition Tomb ofHorrors super-adventure, scheduled to
release in July 2010.
CRED1TS
Gary Gygax Cole Meier
Original Design Graphic DeSigner
Scott Fitzgerald Gray Justin Sweet
4th Edition Design Cover Illustrator
Rodney Thompson David C. Sutherland III
Developer David A. Trampier
Interior Illustrators
Miranda Horner
Editor Jason Engle
Cartographer
Chris Tulach
Organized Play Content Developer Joe Yochum
Production Manager
Matthew Stevens
Art Director
Ihis 4th Eoition updote makes use of mate rial frum "The Legacy uf Acer­
erak" (Draaon # 371). Open Grave, ond the v.3.5 Tomb ofHorrors update.
D U N~EONS & DRAGO NS, ADVAN CE D DU NGEONS & DK AGONS, D&D, AD & D,
d20 . d 20 System , 'Vizards of t he Coast. Player's Handbook, Dilngeon Master's
GUIde, Monster Manllal, ami all other "Vizard s of the COHst product names
and their res pective logos are trad e marks of\~' izard s oCt he Coas t LLC in
the U. S.A. a nd other countries. All "Vi za rds charac ters and the distinctive
likenesses thereuf a re prope rt), of Wi zards of the Coast LLC. This material
is protected LInder the copy right laws oft he United States of America. Any
reproduction or unauthorized use of the material or artwork contained
herein is prohibit ed withoLlt the express writte n pe rmission of Wi zard s of
the Coa st LLC. Anysimilarity to actual people, organi zations. places. or
event s included herein is purely coincidenta l. Printed in the U.S.A. ©20 10
vVizards orthe Coa st LLC

Ages past, a human magic-user/cleric of surpassing evil took
the steps necessary to preserve his life force beyond the
centuries he had already lived, and this creature became
the lich Acererak. Over the scores ofyears that followed, the
Iich dwelled with hordes ofghastly servants in the gloomy
stone ha lis of the very hill where the tomb is. Eventually,
even the undead life force of Acererak began to wane, so for
the next eight decades, the lich's servants labored to create
the Tomb of Horrors. Then Ace rerak destroyed all of his
slaves and servitors, magically hid the entrance to his halls,
and went to his final haunt while his soul roamed strange
planes unknown to even the wisest of sages.
ACERERAK'S PLOTS
The truth behind the creation of the Tomb of Horrors is
even more insidious than the legends that lure adventur­
ers to the tomb. Centuries ago, Acererak built the tomb
to serve as an alta r: In it , countless heroes would sacrifice
themselves for his purposes. Each group of adventurers
destroyed by the tomb generated spiritual energy, which
the demilich siphoned to a hidden phylactery in prepara­
tion for turning himselfinto a deity.
A generation ago, a group of heroes shattered Acererak's
plans by dea ling him a near-fatal setback. The Bleak Acad­
emy, known at the time as the Black Academy, received its
current name because of the failure of the demilich 's plots.
The masters of the academy believe that Acererak will
return, prima rily because the Tomb of Horrors continues
to draw adventurers to their doom and to provid e Acer­
erak with spiritual energy. After each new wave of heroes
perishes in the tomb, the forces that have kept the complex
standing for centuries slowly and inexorably repair the
damage done to it.
In fact , the demilich has hatched new plots even more
ambitious than hi s previou s ones-plots unknown even to
the masters of the Bleak Academy. The Tomb ofHorrors
super-adventure reveals the full scope of those plots-and
reveals Acererak's fate.
QUEST XP
Two major quests define the characters' incursion into the
Tomb of Horrors.
Major Quest (2,000 XP): Avoid being misled by a
false Acererak (area 14), and locate the magically warded
secret door that offers access to the rest of the tomb.
Major Quest (2,500 XP): Destroy the
Acererak construct.
INTERIOR FEATURES
Illumination: Unless otherwise indicated, the interior
of the tomb is dark.
Ceilings, Floors, and Walls: Ceilings in passage­
ways and smaller chambers vary from 10 to 15 feet
high unless othervvise indicated . Passages and rooms
are granite or marble unless otherwise indicated. Except
in crawlspaces and in area 18, ceilings, floors, and walls
are smooth.
Interior Doors (Visible): Doors are iron-banded oak
unless otherwise indicated. Characters must force doors
open unless otherwise indicated.
Iron-Banded Oak Door: 2 inches thick: AC 5, Reflex 5,
Fortitude 10,20 hit pOints. Strength DC 21 to open.
Secret Doors: Secret doors typically look like the sur­
rounding walls. Unless otherwise indicated, a character
can detect a secret door with a DC 16 Perception check
and can open a secret door with a DC 16 Strength or
Thievery check.
Treasure: Powerful magic protects some of the tomb's
treasure, exacting Acererak's revenge on those who chal­
lenge him. Such treasure becomes worthless if removed
from the tomb, but no check or power reveals this property
while the treasure i.s in the tomb. See areas 9 and 29.
This adventure presents specific magic items in its trea­
sure parcels; however, unless otherwise indicated , you
can replace any magic item with an item of the same level
from your players' wish lists. Magic items from sources
other than the Player's Handbook reference the source, or
you can find them in the D&D Compendium . The abbrevi­
ation AV refers to Adventurer's Vault; AV2 is Adventurer's
Vault 2; and DMA09 is Dra80n Ma8azine Annual 2009.
ENTERING THE TOMB
This adventure as sumes that the characters have jour­
neyed to Skull City and have prepared to enter the tomb
by way of the Bleak Academy, as described in "Legacy of
Acererak" (Dra8on #3 71). When the tomb was an isolated
ruin, adventurers had to find its entrance from among
false and trap-guarded portals. Because the Bleak Acad­
emy now encases those entrances, a silent escort brings
the characters to the tomb.
1. MOSAIC HALL
At the entrance to the tomb, the characters gain their first
glimpse of Acererak's nightmarish masterpiece. See the
illustration on the insid e front cover.
The first li8ht brou8ht to bear on the corridor ahead reveals a
flare ofcolor undimmed by the passa8e oftime. The walls and
the ceilin8 20 feet overhead are smooth plasterfrescos illus­
trated with interior and exterior scenes. Herds ofcows 8raze
in openfields. A wooded copse conceals wolves on the prowl.
Slaves ofvarious humanoid and monstrous races 80 about
their labors under the whips offiends and other cruel creatures.
Certain of the frescoes create the illusion ofan interior
space. A wizard's workroom is 8ual'ded by two jackal­
headed humanoids. A library stands filled with many books
and scrolls. A torture chamber holds a barred door behind
which some fiendish creature lurks.
The floor ofthe corridor is an equally colorful mosaic of
stone, set with a distinct 2foot-wide path ofred tiles snakin8
its way south.
IA.FRESCO OF THE
WIZARDLY WORKROOM
The characters' progress down the mosaic hall is hindered
by pit traps (see b e low). However, the first trap (marked
"T" on the map) is uniquely dangerous.
Bronze Chest Pit Trap Level 7 Elite Warder
Trap XP 600
Two jackal-headed humanoids appear to hold a real bronze chest
juttin8 out from the wall.
Trap: This 30-foot-deep pit is a deadlier version of the poison-
spikes pit traps that fill this long corridor.
Perception
• DC 16: The top of the bronze chest features a hidden catch.
• DC 23: A character adjacent to a square can determine
Countermeasures
whether that square is part of the pit trap.
• A character adjacent to a trapped square can safely
Trigger
If the catch is pressed, the lid of the chest swings down to
reveal an empty interior. However, any character that probes
the chest discovers an invisible lever attached to the bottom.
The trap attacks when a creature pulls the invisible lever.
Attack
Immediate Reaction Melee 1
Target: Each creature in one of the trap's squares.
Attack: + 10 vs. Reflex
Hit: The target drops into the pit, takes Sd1 0 + 2 damage and
ongoing 5 poison damage (save ends), and falls prone.
running start).
Miss: The target moves to any safe square adjacent to the
• A character can climb into or out of the pit with a DC 16
triggering square.
Athletics check. The spiked floor of the pit can be safely
Effect: The false floor opens and the pit is no longer hidden.
After 24 hours open, a pit trap in the tomb magically closes
and resets itself.
Countermeasures
• The character who pulled the lever can make a DC 17
Acrobatics check to grab the chest, gaining a + 2 bonus to
Reflex against the trap's attack.
• See "Countermeasures" for the poison-s pikes pit trap, but
add 2 to the DCs of all checks to trigger or disable the trap.
Treasure: Any character who falls into the pit or
makes a DC 16 Perception check finds 6 gems (50 gp
each) at the bottom of the pit.
lB. DANGEROUS PATH
The characters' progress down the corridor depends on
how qUickly they determine how the pit traps protecting
this area work.
Poison-Spikes Pit Trap Level 7 Warder
T~p XP)OO
The floor suddenly collapses to reveal a deadly spiked pit below.
Trap: A 2-by-2 section of the floor hides a 1 O-foot-deep pit
lined with poisoned spikes.
Perception
• DC 16: A character adjacent to a square can determine
whether that square is part of a pit trap.
Additional Skill: Athletics
• DC 23: A character can strike the floor hard in his or her
square to sound it. With a successful check, the character
determines the location of all adjacent pit trap squares.
A check made in a square of a pit trap triggers the trap,
which gains a + 2 bonus to its attack roll against the character
making this check.
Trigger
The trap attacks when a creature moves from one of the
trap's 4 squares into another of the trap's squares.
Attack
Immediate Reaction Melee 1
Target: Each creature in one of the trap's squares.
Attack: + 10 vs. Reflex
Hit: The target drops into the pit, takes 2d1 0 + 1 damage and
ongOing 5 poison damage (save ends), and falls prone.
Miss: The target moves to any safe square adjacent to the
triggering square.
Effect: The false floor opens and the pit is no longer hidden.
After 24 hours open, a pit trap in the tomb magically closes
and resets itself.
trigger the trap with a DC 23 Athletics or Thievery check
(s ta ndard action).
• A character on a trapped square can disable the trap with
a DC 23 Thievery check (standard action, trained only). The
floor becomes safe to cross for 24 hours, after which the
pit trap resets. If this check fails by 5 or more, the character
triggers the trap. The trap gains a + 2 bonus to its attack roll
against that character.
• A character can jump over the pit with a running start
by making a DC 11 Athletics check (DC 21 without a
crossed at half speed.
r These traps activate only when a character moves from
one trapped square to another, making it possible for a
characte r to stand on the trap without reali zing it.
Secret Door: A one-way secret door at the bottom of the
IE. MISTY ARCHWAY
The red mosa ic path splits at the end of the hall. To the
east stands a mist-filled archway whose magical controls
the characters must decipher.
southernmost pit can be detected from this side (DC 23
Perception check). However, it can be opened only from
the crawlspace leading from area 2. Teleport Archway Magical Location
A stone archway set into th e wall is completely obscured with

Ie. THE TORMENTOR swirlin8 white mist.

Magical Location: This teleport arch sends characters deeper

The fresco of the torture chamber shows an iron door con­
fining a demon from which torture victims cower in fear.
If the plaster and lath of the fresco is broken (three DC 16
Strength checks), a door leading to area 3 is reve aled.
ID. ACERERAK'S MESSAGE
Observant characters (DC 10 Perception check) and
those who have studied the path from the entrance to this
point notice faint runes set into the mosa ic floor. As they wind
their way from north to south, the runes spell out a m essage.
ACERERAK CONGRATULATES YOU ON YOUR
POWERS OF OBSERVATION. SO MAKE OF THIS
WHATEVER YOU WISH, FOR YOU WILL BE MINE IN
THE END NO MATTER WHAT!
Go back to the tormentor or throuah the arch, and the
second areat hall you'll discover.Shunareen ifyou can, but
niaht's aood color is for those ofareat valor. If shades of red
stand for blood the wise will not need sacrifice auaht
but a loop ofmaaical metal-you're well alona
your march.
into the tomb.
Arcana
• DC 25 (trained only): This archway is imbued with powerful
teleportation magic.
Effect: The luminous mist cannot be seen through with any
vision or power. Whenever a creature moves adjacent to the
arch, three of its stones begin to glow-bright yellow at lower
left; blue at the top; and orange at the lower right.
Arcana
• DC 23: Safely working the arch involves touching its glowing
stones in a particular ord er that the characters must guess.
• DC 23 (trained only): This archway is imbued with powerful
teleportation magic.
Effect: If the stones are pressed in the sequence yellow,
blue, orange, the mist disappears. The characters can see a
smooth-walled stone chamber, and the mosaic path ends at
the far wall.
A character who enters the archway while it is clouded is
teleported to area 2 (see page 5). If the arch is passed through
after pressing the glowing stones in the proper sequence, a
character who steps through on the path
is teleported to area 6. A character
passing through off the path
is teleported back to
the north end of the
mosaic hall.

Two pits alona the way will befound

to lead to a fortuitous fall, so
check th e wall. These keys and
those are most important of
all , and beware oftrem­
blina hands and what
will mauL Ifyou find
the false, you find
th e true and into
the columned hall
you'll come, and
there the throne
that's key and
keyed .

The iron men of

visaae arim do
more than meets
the viewer's eye.
You've left and left
and found my Tomb
and now your soul
will die.
IF. THE DEVOURER 2. FORSAKEN PRISON
Carved of sickly green stone, this great devil's face is the Characters teleported from area IE are trapped in this
last sight many would-be heroes ever see. The faithful of small cell.
the Bleak Academy call this icon of Acererak's evil "the
Devourer," a name familiar to characters who have spent This miserable cubicle is 10feet on a side and appears to
any time in Skull City. have no exit. Three foot·lona iron levers jut out from the
south wall.
The Devourer Cursed Location
The mouth of the areat ween devil is an impenetrable dead·
Forsaken Prison Level 8
black haze.
Puzzle XP JSO
Cursed location: This darkness is a void that destroys all it touches. The three levers must control the hidden exit to this place, but
Arcana they offer no hint as to their operation.
• DC 28 (trained only): This Puzzle: Each lever moves
stone face is imbued with horizontally or vertically, controlling
deadly arcane power. the trapdoor in the ceiling and a
Trigger deadly pit trap beneath the floor.
Any creature that enters the Perception
Devourer's mouth is subject
• DC 11: A S·foot-diameter
to attack. trapdoor sits in the center of the
Attack ceiling, but no force or magic
Opportunity Action will open it.
Melee 0
• DC 16: The stone of the floor
Target: One creature seems newer than the walls
Attack: + 17 vs. Fortitude and ceiling.
Hit: 3d6 + 6 damage, and the Arcana
target is stunned (save ends). • DC 23 (trained only): Magic
Miss: 2d6 damage. imbues the walls, floors, and ceiling
Special: A creature reduced of this room, and the magic is
to 0 hit points by this connected to the three levers.
location's damage is Thievery
destroyed, reduced to a pile • DC 23 : The levers are designed to
of fine gray dust. be operated in concert, all pushed
Effect: A creature starts its in one direction or the other.
turn within the mouth, Effect
takes 10 damage. Creatures Only the act of moving all three
outside the mouth do levers together has any result.
not have line of sight to a Moving all three straight up
creature that has entered at the same time opens the
the mouth. ceiling trapdoor. Pushing them
Countermeasures simultaneously down causes the
• A creature can leave magica I effect that creates the
the mouth by making a floor to end, dropping all creatures
DC 23 Endurance check in the room to the bottom of a
(standard action ). 1 ~O-foot deep pit. Creatures take
• A creature that cannot leave 1 Od1 0 damage and fall prone
the mouth can be pulled out amid the skeletal remains and
by a character adjacent to ruined gear of adventurers who
the Devourer. The character previously passed this way.
locates the unseen creature The smooth walls of the pit
by touch by making a DC can be climbed with a DC 16
16 Perception check (minor Athletics check. However, the stone floor (now the ceiling)
action) and takes 10 damage. The character pulls the creature forms again in 1 minute. An adjacent character can disrupt
out with a DC 16 Strength check (standard action). the magic of the floor beneath him or her with three DC 23
Arcana checks.

The ceiling route is a crawlspace 5 feet in diameter. Where

it turns east, a stone plug in the ceiling can be detected
only with a DC 23 Athletics check made to sound the
stone of the passage. It can be pushed LIp (Strength DC
16) to reveal an access to area 7. The craWlspace leads to
a magic one·way door that opens into the bottom of the
southernmost pit in the mosaic hall (see page 1):
Encounter Level 10 (2,500 XP)

SETUP
1 lesser gargoyle mauler (G)

VVhen any door lead ing to this room is opened, it frees

a dread guardian from temporal stasis.

Even as the door opens, a shriek erupts from beyond it.

An enormous four-armed8ar80yle rears up, preparin8
to attack.

A single character at the door can make an opposed Dex­

terity check to slam it shut before the gargoyle attacks.
However, the creature claws its way through the door in
Id6 rounds.
FEATURES OF THE AREA
TACTlCS Ceiling: The ceiling is 20 fee t high .
The gargoyle mauler retreats to the ceiling to put it out of Illumination: None.
range of melee attacks, then executes a flying strike on its Grasping Rubble: The rubble strewn across the
n ext turn. noor is the remains of previous gargoyles, slain and sum­
If the characters n ee, the gargoyle pursues them into moned again by Acerera k's magic countless times. Any
a ny area of the tomb. creature except the gargoyle that starts its
turn in rubble is subject to an attack:
"Look low and hi8hfor gold, to hear a tale untold. The arch­ +13 vs. Renex; 4d6 + 6 d a mage and
way at the end, and on your way you'll wend. - A." the creature is slowed until the
end of its turn.
Lesser Gargoyle Mauler (G) Level 10 Solo Lurker Empty Rooms:
large elemental humanoid (earth) XP 1,')00
The rooms to the
Initiative +15 Senses Perception +7; darkvision
south contain only
HP 428; Bloodied 214
grasping rubble.
AC 24; Fortitude 23 , Reflex 23, Will 21
Treasure: Around
Immune petrification

the gargoyle's neck is

Speed 6, fly 8 (hover)

a collar studded with

CD Claw (standard; at-will )

+15 vs. AC; 4d6 + 4 damage. blue quartz (worth 250

+ Mauling Claws (standard; at-will) gp). Hidden within the
The mauler makes four claw attacks. If two attacks hit the same leather bands of the
target, the target is dazed (save ends). If all four attacks hit the collar (DC 15 Per­
same target, the target instead takes ongOing 5 damage and is ception to find) is
dazed (save ends both).
a slip of parchment
+ Flying Strike (standard; recharge [8J [IT or after using stone form)
scribed with magi­
The gargoyle flies 8 squares, making claw attacks against up to
four targets during this movement. On a hit, a target also takes cal runes (DC 17
ongOing 5 damage and slides 3 squares. Arcana to decipher).
Stone Form (standard; at-will)
The gargoyle mauler becomes a statue and gains resist 15 to all
damage, regeneration 5, and tremorsense 10. It loses all other
senses and can take no actions in stone form other than reverting
to its normal form (a minor action).
Alignment Chaotic evil languages Primordial
Str 23 (+11) Dex n (+11) Wis 14 (+7)
Con 19 (+9) Int 13 (+6) Cha 18 (+9)
 It ta kes one pr imary skill check to locate a secret door,
followed by two prima ry checks to id entify both of the
door's opening mechanisms. vVhen the characters identify
the second mechanism, they open the door, after which
Encounter Level 9 (2 , 000 XP) the characters can use move actions to move into the next
area . The trap attacks on initiative count 0 , but it ignores
A norma l door connects the gargoyle's lair (area 3) with a room whose door has been opened for the first time
the first room in this area. (The characters cannot enter during that round. The characters can avoid the trap if
this area from area 5; see page 8.) they move into a new room in the gauntlet each round.
Special: If the characters gain only one successful
The chamber beyond the door is 10feet on a side and empty primary check for a door, they determine its initial mecha­
of everythinB but dust and Wit. nism (see the table). With this knowledge, a character can
attempt to guess the door's second mechanism as a standard
Pass ing thro ugh this area involves a skill challenge that action. If a character guesses successfully, the door opens.
takes the party through a succession of sec ret doors. The The door in area G of the gauntlet is also a trap. If the
skill challe nge is time sensitive and is treated somewhat characters aCcidenta lly drop the door on themselves, it stays
like a combat e ncounter. Characters roll initiative as open. However, the magical bolt trap attacks as normal.
normal. However, they can act in a ny order as long as each
character takes only his or her normal allotment of actions Magical Bolt Trap Level 10 Blaster
for each ro und . On initiative count 0, charac ters in any ~~ ~-
part of the gauntlet are subject to an attack by the magic With a pulse of white 1i8ht, bolts of arcane force lance out from
trap that fills the area. the walls and ceilin8'
Start the encounter when the first charac ter steps Trap: Each round on initiative count 0, the trap fire s a barrage
th rough the door from area 3. of magical force missiles that attack one target.
Perception
This tra p cannot be detected with Perception.
GAUNTLET OF DOORS Additional Skill: Arcana
These empty rooms are divided by a series ofsecret doors. • DC 25 (trained only): The character detects a pulse of arcane
Setup: Each room contains a secret door that requires energy building in the walls of the room.
Trigger
a minimum of three standard actions to detect and open.
The trap activates whe n a creature enters any room in the
Each of the rooms that make up this gaun tlet of sec ret gauntlet, then attacks each round on initiative count O.
doors is protected by a magical bolt trap (see the statistics Attack
block). Characters who take too long to open a door are Standard Action Ranged special
targeted by the trap. Target: One creature in any part of the gauntlet. The trap
Level: 9 (XP 2,000). ignores creatures in a room whose door has been opened for
Complexity: 5 (special). the first time during that round.
Attack: + 15 vs. Will
Primary Skills: Athletics, Thievery.
Hit: 4d8 + 2 force damage.
Athletics, Thievery (DC 17, standard action): By testing
or investigating the physical setup of the door, the ch a r­ GAUNTlET OF DOORS
acter intuits the operation of one of its (wo mechanisms Door Mechanism 1 Mechanism 1
(see the table). A. Hidden catch at top Pulls down
Perception (DC 12, standard action):The character detects B. Thin handholds at edges Pivots centrally
the location of the secret door, after which characters can C. Hidden catch at bottom Pulls inward and up
attempt to determine the workings ofits two mechanisms. D. Faint ridge at bottom Slides up
Secondary Skills: Insight. E. Faint seam down the middle Double panels pull inward
In sight (DC 17, standard action): The ch aracter gains a F. Hidden catch at right Slides left
hint of the operation of the secret door by second-guessing G. 7 hidden studs Press all and door opens;
its design. With a successful check. the next Athletics or press 1 and 7, door falls
Thievery check made in the challenge gains a +2 bonus. inward, dealing 3d6
damage to all creatures
Success and Failure: This skill challenge has no ove r­ in the room and
all success or failure. Instead, the challenge end s when the knocking them prone
charac ters successfully identify, open , and pass through all
the secret doors within the area . Failure in the challe nge
is marked by the number of attacks the magiC trap gets
agai nst the cha rac te rs.
I 5. GREAT HALL OF SPHERES
This broad hall is similar to the tomb entrance, its floor
set with inlaid tiles and the walls and ceiling covered with
painted frescos.
Magic Spear Trap
Trap

behind it.
Level 7 Blaster

Trap: From a plain stone wall, a magically summoned spear

XP 300
As the door opens, a 81owin8 spear erupts from the blank wall

launches itself at a Single target.

Strange glyphs, symbols, and faces are set within two ranks Perception
of humanoid and monstrous figures standing along both This trap cannot be detected with Perception.
Additional Skill: Arcana
walls. Eachfi[)ure appears to hold a colored sphere. A mist­
• DC 23 (trained only): A pulse of magic betrays the presence
filled archway opens up at the south end of the hall. of the trap.
Trigger
A DC 17 Arcana or Re ligion check determines that the The trap attacks when a character reveals or touches the
glyphs are purely decorative. section of wall it occupies.
Most of the 3 ·foot·diameter spheres are painted onto Attack
Immediate Reaction Ranged 5
the plaster walls. However, six spheres are illusions that
Target: The nearest creature
conceal openings behind them . A creature can detect
Attack: + 10 vs. Reflex
an illusory sphere only by touch. Creatures cannot see Hit: 3d8 damage, and ongoing 5 damage (save ends).
through it, and any object passes through it. A creature Miss: Ongoing 5 damage (save ends).
must thrust its head into a sphere to see what lies beyond it. Effect:
The creatures and spheres along the west and east walls The spear fades to mist and disappears.
are as indicated on the tables, running from north to south. Countermeasures
• A character adjacent to the trap can disable the trap with a
DC 16 Arcana or Thievery check. The trap resets after 1 hour.

WEST WAll EAST WAll

Key Description Key Description
Go A naga holds a gold sphere above its head. PB A werewolf holds a pale blue sphere at
The sphere is an illusion covering a S-foot­ shoulder height.
diameter crawlspace leading to area 6.
Si A silver sphere is held at the feet
0 A mummy holds an orange sphere at waist
of a four-armed gargoyle. The sphere
height. The sphere is an illusion covering
is an illusion covering the secret one-
a spear trap (see the statistics block). Any
way door exiting from area 4. The
creature putting an object or a part of its
secret door mechanism is obvious but
body through the sphere triggers the trap.
cannot be opened from this side.
Pu A purple sphere held at the feet of
Gr A areen sphere is held high above the
a minotaur.
head of an armored giant.
Br A lamia holds a bronze sphere at waist
Y A warden in hawk-headed guardian form
height. The sphere is an illusion covering
holds a yellow sphere at shoulder height.
a spear trap (see above).
Pi A yuan·ti holds a pink sphere above
G A gray sphere sits on the shoulder of its head.
an owlbear. BI A black sphere sits at the feet of a hydra.
BB A sahuagin holds a bright blue sphere at The sphere is an illusion covering a
its feet. 5-foot-diameter crawlspace leading
W A white sphere is held above the head of to area 9.
a red slaad. PV A pale violet sphere is held on the
T A satyr holds a turquoise sphere at shoulder of 'a kuo-toa.
its shoulder. YB A white-bearded human wizard holds
Sc A mind f1ayer holds a scarlet sphere a yellow-brown sphere at its feet.
waist high. R A red sphere is held waist high by a
PG A medusa has a pale green sphere at skeleton . The sphere is an illusion
its feet. covering a 5-foot­ diameter crawlspace
leading to area 7.
A succubus holds an indiao sphere high
above its head.
SA. CURSED ARCHWAY
This arch is identical to the arch at area 1E. However, this
location has a more nefarious purpose.
Cursed Archway Cursed location
The swirling white mist within the archway hides whatever
in this chamber is an Bjoot tall statue of a four·armed aar·
lies beyond it.
Boyle. One of its arms has been broken off, and it rests on the
Cursed Location: This archway steals a character's gear to
floor at its feet.
strike a blow against the characters' morale.
Arcana or Thievery
• DC 28 (trained only); The mists of this archway are imbued
with a powerful magical curse.
Effect
Whenever a creature moves adjacent to the arch, three of its
stones begin to glow-dull olive green on the lower left; russet
brown at the top; and a sickly citron yellow at lower right.
No matter which stones are pressed and in what order, the
archway remains clouded and veiled with a haze that cannot
be seen through with any vision or power. Any character that
steps through the arch has all his or her clothing and gear
teleported to the crypt at area 32, while the character (now
nude) is teleported to the tomb entrance at area 1.
"CRUEL, BUT MOST
ENTERTA1N1NG ..."
For many players of the original Tomb of Horrors, this cursed
archway was a fate worse than death. Raising a character is
difficult but not impossible. However, nothing can restore a
career's worth of magic gear stolen in a heartbeat.
The quest to retrieve precious magic gives characters
great incentive to return to the tomb.
However, you can modifY the effect
of this archway (and similar magi­
cal locations in the dungeon)
so that a character makes
a saving throw for each
of his or magic items
of level 5 or higher.
With a successful
save, a character's
heroic bond with an
item's enchantment
interferes with Acer­
erak's ancient
magic, and
the item
is retained.
6. THREE-ARMED STATUE
At the end of the 5·foot·diameter crawlspace, a small
chamber opens up.
Aside from rubble on the floor, the only other thina you see
Statue's Sacrifice Level 10
PUZlle XP 500
The statue's hands are outstretched, as if waiting fo r some
offering.
Puzzle: Sacrificing gems in the statue's three attached hands
calls forth a powerful magic item.
Perception
• DC 18; Each of the statue's three intact hands is carved with
an indentation, as if some object is meant to be placed there.
The fourth has no such concavity.
• DC 26: The rubble and debris surrounding the statue
contains traces of diamond dust.
Arcana or Thievery
• DC 26 (trained only): Both the statue and its broken arm are
imbued with powerful magic.
• DC 30 (trained only); Activating the statue's magiC requires
a series of repeated actions.
Effect
If three gems are placed within the statue's outstretched
hands, the stony digits close and crush them to powder.
After dumping the dust on the floor, they return to their
normal positions.
This process must be repeated three times, destroying nine
gems. If one or more gems are then placed in the statue's
hands, they are not crushed, but the statue appears to speak
(by way of a Magic Mouth ritual);
"Your sacrifice was not in vain. Look to the fourth to find
your 8ain."
If the characters successfully solve the puzzle,
an invisible aem ofseeina appears in th e palm of
the statue's broken arm. Characters can feel for
the gem in the statue's fourth hand , and it appears
when touched.
Gem of Seeing Level 12
Wh en you look throu8h it, this fiat· polished ova! diamond reveals
thinas unseen.
Wondrous Item 13,000 gp
Power (At-Will): Standard Action. You hold the gem
before one of your eyes. You can see invisible creatures
and objects within 10 squares of you.
The 8em ofseein8 can be used only twelve times.
After the twelfth use, the gem shatters and is
replaced with 2,600 gp worth of residuum.
Encounter Level 5-12 (3,900 XP) THE GOLD CHEST
Opening this chest summons a horde of poisonous snakes

that fight until destroye d .

SETUP A pulse ofareen li8ht erupts as the chest opens, and a

When the party en ters the crawlway hidden by the red swarm ofhissin8 Vipers pours forth.

sphere in area 5 (page 8), they come to an apparent d ead

end after 40 fe e t of rough passage. A DC 13 Perception
Horde Vipers Level 10 Minion Soldier
check notes the secre t door at the end. Small natural beast (reptile) XP 125 each
Opening the secret door causes the e nd of the tunne l Initiative +12 Senses Perception +5; low-light vision
to collapse. The character opening the door must make a Death Rattle (Fear) aura 1; any enemy within the aura takes a
DC 13 Acrobatics check or drop 10 feet into area 7, taking -1 penalty to attack rolls.
damage as normal. The other characters can descend safely. HP 1; a missed attack never damages a minion.
AC 15; Fortitude 11, Reflex 14, Will 11
Resist 15 pOison
"Vithin this otherwise empty chamber, three closed chests Speed 4 , climb 4
are set across the stone floor. CD Bite (standard; at-will) • Poison
+16 vs . Reflex; ongoing 8 poison damage (save ends). If the
Three Chests Encounter Setup target is already taking ongoing poison damage from a horde
Each chest is 4 feet lona, 2 feet wide, and 3 feet hiah. The first
viper's attack, the ongoing damage increases by 1 .
chest alearns aold. 111e second is untarnished silver. The third is
Alignment Unaligned Languages -
oak bound with thick bronze bands.
Str 13 (+6) Dex 10 (+10) Wis 10 (+5)
Con 17 (+8) Int 1 (+1) Cha 18 (+9)
Encounter Setup: Each of these three chests contains potent
magic that triggers an individual part of the overall encounter.
Arcana TACTICS
• DC 16 (trained only): A character can detect magic within The vipers stay close to any closed chests, hoping that an
all three chests, but he or she gains no specific information as area arcane or divine attack opens them. They focus the ir
to its nature.
attacks on slow-moving fo es.
Perception
• DC 13: The precious-metal chests are only poor-quality
gold and silver plate over iron. All three chests are magically THE SILVER CHEST
affixed to the floor and cannot be budged.
When this c hest is opened, a deadly magic trap is activated.
Thievery
• DC 18 (trained only): The chests are not locked or trapped.
(The magic trap mechanism is wholly inside each trapped Force Dart Fusillade Level 10 Elite Blaster
chest and cannot be identified from outside.) Trap XP 1,000
Effect A pulse ofshadow erupts as the chest is opened, and the air

• A character can open a chest easily. A chest also opens

around you is filled with a barra[Je of black darts.

magically if it is:
Trap: Each round on its initiative, the trap fires a barrage of
• Caught within the area of an arcane or divine area
force darts throughout the area.

attack power.
Perception

• Targeted by a weapon attack. This trap cannot be detected with Perception.

• Struck by a creature under the effect of forced movement. Initiative + 1 0

Trigger

Each of the chests triggers an encounter when opened. Taken When the silver chest is opened, the trap rolls initiative and
individually, each encounter represents a minor challenge attacks.
for a party of the characters'level. However, each encounter Attack
Standard Action Ranged 1 0
creates the chance that any remaining ch ests will also be
Target: The creature that opened the chest and each ally in range
opened. The range oflevels in the encounter information
Attack: + 1 5 vs. Reflex
above d epends on Hit: 4d6 + 1 force damage and the target is pushed 1 squares
whe ther the char­ from the chest.

acters take on Countermeasures

each challenge • A character adjacent to the chest can disable the trap
individually or with two DC 26 Arcana or Thievery checks (standard action,
trained only).
a ll at once.
• A character who moves more than 3 squares on his or her
. most recent turn gains a + 1 bonus to Reflex against the
trap's attack.
 TACTICS
The ske leton blad e guardian takes on the strongest-looking
melee combatants. laying into those foes with scimitar and
preemptive slash attac ks. It reserves rain ofsteel until it can
attempt to drive foes into any unopened chests.

DEVELOPMENT
All the summoned creatures here remain indefinitely if
they are not destroyed. If the characters flee this area. the
blade guardian pursues them but the asps do not.

FEATURES OF THE AREA

THE OAKEN CHEST
This chest summons a skeletal guardian that lashes out
against the nearest characters.
With a burst of white liaht, an enormo us skeletal fiaure
erupts from the oaken chest, its twin scimitars la shinB out.
Ceiling: The ceiling is 20 feet high .
Illumination: None.
Chests: Each chest provid es cover to a Medium or
smaller creature crouching or prone behind it. It takes 1
extra square of movement or a DC 13 Athletics check to
hop over a chest.
Rubble: These areas ofloose scree are difficult ter ·
ra in. A character who runs. charges. or is forced to move
through rubble must make a DC 13 Acrobatics check or
fall prone at the end of that movement.
Treasure: The gold and oaken chests are empty,
but the silver chest holds a watcher's sianet magic ring
(DMA09 46) in a clear crys tal box (wort h 150 gp). (If
none of the characters has com e into possession ofa
magic ring in the heroic tier, do not replace this ring with
another magic item. The party needs a magiC ring to open
the secret door at area 9c.)
vVith 10 minutes work. the characters can strip the
plating from the gold and silver chests. Though poor qual­
ity. it is worth 70 gp and 30 gpo respectively. if sold.

Skeleton Blade Guardian Level 12 Elite Brute

large natural animate (undeild) XP , ,400
Initiative +13 Senses Perception +10 ; dark vision
HP 292; Bloodied 146
AC 24; Fortitude 23, Reflex 26, Will 23
Immune disease , poison
Saving Throws +2
Speed 6
Action Points 1
CD Scimitar (sta ndard; at-will)'" Weapon
Reach 2; +15 vs. AC; 3d1 0 + 6 damage.
+ Preemptive Slash (immediate interrupt. when the blade
guardian is targeted by a melee attack; at-will)
The blade guardian makes a scimitar attack against the trigger­
ing attacker. If the attack hits. the triggering attacker also
takes a -2 penalty to the triggering attack roll.
.~ Rain of Steel (standard; recharge [DJ)

Close burst 3; +13 vs. Reflex; 3d1 0 + 6 damage. and the blade

guardian slides the target 2 squares.

Retaliating Blades
A creature that makes an opportunity attack against the blade
guardian takes 2d6 damage.
Alignment Evil languages -
Str 18 (+10) Dex 24 (+13) Wis 19 (+10)
Con 16 (+9) Int5(+3) Cha 8 (+5)
II 8. DEAD END
A 5-foot-diameter crawlspace lies beyond the illusionary
black sphere in area 5.
A wooden railin8 divides this chapel, the mosaic path leadin8
throu8h it to a tiered dais set with a wooden chair, a pair of
brass candelabra, and two lar8e ceramic urns. Atop the dais,
a stone altar 810ws an opalescent blue. The symbols of Pelor,
Avandra, Moradin, and Bahamut are enaraved on itsfront.
The tunnel turns twice but maintains a southward course.
To the west ofthe altar, a stone archway is filled with
Then suddenly, around a last bend, it stops dead at a blank
810win8 oran8e mist. A humanoid skeleton in badly rusted
wall ofstone.
black chain mail lies on the floor, pointin8 toward it.
It takes two DC 23 Perception checks to locate the door, or
The candelabra and the empty urns are as worthless as
one DC 18 Perception check by a character who can see
everything else in this false temple ofgood. DeSigned to
invisible objects. It takes two DC 13 Thievery or Strength
confuse Acererak's foes , this area is as deadly as any other
checks to open it.
part of the tomb.

9. CHAPEL OF EVIL WOODEN PEWS

Each of these benches features a hinged seat that reveals a
A mosaic path like the one at the tomb entrance runs from
storage space underneath it.
the secret door to pass between two rows ofareat wooden
Treasure: The back pair of pews each contain 2,000
pews. The walls are painted with scenes ofeveryday rural
sp. The next pair each hold 1,400 gp and 3,500 sp. The
life. However, the fi8ures depicted there have rottin8flesh
next pews each hold 2,100 gpo Part of this treasure is pro­
and skeletal limbs, their features eaten away by worms.
tected by Acererak's magiC. If removed from the tomb, all
of it turns to worthless low-quality copper and tin except
A DC 26 Arcana or Religion check (trained only) indicates
for 400 gpo
that powerful magic fills this area , and that its arcane
A DC 18 Perception or Thievery check on anyone of
essence is inextricably consecrated to good. (However, see
these pews determines that it is not trapped-unlike the
"The Blue Altar," below).
front pair of pews.

-­- --­
Weakness Gas Trap level 8 Blaster
Trap XP 350
9A. BLUE ALTAR
As the seat ofthe pew is lifted, a cloud of acrid aas fills the air. A DC 30 Arcana or Religion check (trained only, made
Trap: Each of the front pews in the chapel of evil is trapped. adjacent to tb e altar) reveals that tbe aura of good detect­
Perception able earlier in the cbapel is wbolly false, masked by the
This trap cannot be detected with Perception. altar's powerful magic.
Additional Skill: Thievery
• DC 16 (trained only): The lid of this pew is a subtly hidden
trap, ready to trigger if opened. lightning Blast Altar Level 8 Blaster
Trigger Trap XP 350
The trap attacks when the lid of the pew is opened. Each trap A bolt of lightning erupts from the altar to blast any creatures
triggers separately. standing before it.
Attack Trap: The altar glows with pulSing power that waits for the
Standard Action Close burst 4 touch of a living creature.
Target: Each creature in burst Perception
Attack: +11 vs. Fortitude This trap cannot be detected with Perception.
Hit: 4d8 poison damage. Additional Skills: Arcana or Thievery
Miss: 1 d8 poison damage. • DC 24 (trained only): The glowing altar is a deadly magic trap.
Effect Trigger
1 round after the trap attacks, the gas spreads to a close burst If touched by a living creature, the altar sends a pulse of
8 that completely fills the area. The trap makes a second lightning up the aisle between the pews, from the altar to the
attack with a -2 penalty to the attack roll. The gas then north wall.

dissipates harmlessly. Attack

Aftereffect Immediate Reaction Close blast special

The next time the target rolls initiative in a combat Target: Each creature in the aisle between the pews

encounter, it becomes weakened (save ends). The target Attack: +11 vs. Reflex

takes a -1 penalty to this saving throw for each time it has Hit: 3d8 + 4 lightning damage, and ongoing 5 lightning

been hit by this attack. The target gains a + 1 bonus to the damage (save ends).

saving throw for each extended rest it has taken since last Miss: Half damage.

being hit by this attack. Effect

A character remains unaware of this aftereffect until he or she In the aftermath of the attack, the altar glows a fiery purple.
starts the next combat encounter. Secondary Trigger
Countermeasures If the altar is touched by any object or creature, the trap makes
• A character gains a +2 bonus to Fortitude against the trap's another attack.

next attack with a DC 16 Endurance check (standard action). Immediate Reaction Close blast 5

• The magical weakness gas is absorbed through the lungs Target: Each creature in blast

and the skin. However, a character holding his or her breath Attack: +11 vs. Reflex

gains a +5 bonus to Endurance checks made to resist the Hit: Sd8 + 5 fire damage.

effects of the gas. Miss: Half damage.

Effect

The altar is destroyed, but reforms in 1 week.

Countermeasures

• A character adjacent to the trap can disrupt the altar's

power with a DC 16 Arcana, Religion, or Thievery check
(standard action). With each successful check, the trap takes
a -2 penalty to attack rolls if subsequently triggered. Three
successful checks disable the trap for 24 hours. However, a
check that fails by 5 or more triggers the trap.
9B. ORANGE ARCHWAY 9C. RING PORTAL
This third archway is even more diabolical than those A search of the temple reveals a small down-sloping slot in
previously seen. the wall to the southeast .

Cursed Archway Cursed Location Ring Portal Level 9

The skeleton sprawled across the floor points toward the arch-but
was the fiaure tryina to reach it or to warn others away?
Cursed location: A character who steps t hrough the arch
emerges the next round as a screaming berserker of the
opposite sex (no doubt giving her or his companions pause).
Arcana or Thievery
• DC 26 (trained only): The mists of this archway are imbued
PU12le XP 400
Above the small slot, a circle has been carefully scribed in the
stone wall.
Puzzle: The characters must sacrifice a magic ring to activate
a secret door.
Perception
• DC 17: A character notices the small slot in the wall.

with a powerful magical curse.

Thievery

Effect
• DC 17 (trained only): The slot is the m echanism for a hidden
The luminous orange mist within the arch cannot be seen
mechanical portal within the wall, but no hint is given of how
through with any vision or power. Unlike with the archways at to activate it.
area 1 E and area SA, the stones of this cursed arch do not glow. Effect
Any character passing through the portal enters the small The slot is the size of a coin, a flat gem, or a ring. Any item

room beyond. The portal has different effects depending on placed into the slot falls through and lands unseen on the

how many times a creature enters it. (Exiting the portal each other side of the 2 -foot-thick wall.

time ha s no additional effect.) A magic ring fed into the slot activates the portal:
First Time
With a grinding sound, the wall sudde nly begins to drop. An
The first time a character enters the portal, he or she is
immense wedge-shaped block of stone sinks slowly into the
subjected to two powerful effects.
floor, revealing a passageway beyond it.
• The character's sex is changed to its opposite. All her or his The ring and all other objects deposited into the slot are

armor and clothing is magically modified as necessary. crushed and destroyed beneath the sinking stone.

• The character flies into a murderous rage (save ends; the

character takes a -2 penalty to the saving throw). While in
The portal's cou nterweight controls allow it to be raised or
a murderous rage, the character makes a basic attack or a
charge against the nearest creature. This is a charm effect.
lowered easily from the other side.
Arcana
• DC 26 (trained only): Once the rage ends, a character can 10. THREE PITS
determine that the sex of the changed character can be
restored only by a combination of a Remove Affliction ritual
Beyond the ring portal, a night of steps leads to a ser ies of
and the character entering the archway again. However, the pit traps and a n importa nt secret door. After forcing a door
precise conditions are not revealed. open as normal, a pit trap triggers if the charac ters move
Second Time ahead without checking the floor. See the pOison spikes pit
Th e character takes 1 d6 damage. A Remove Affliction can now trap on page 3.
reverse the character's sex back to normal.
The routine of working past these three pits makes it
Third Time

likely that the party ignores the third pit by the time they
The character's sex (a nd all her or his clothing and armor) is

receive it. At the bottom of that pit, a poorly concea led

reversed back to normal. However, the character's clothing and
gear are teleported to the crypt at area 32 while the character secret door (DC 10 Perception) leads to the last section of
(now nude) is teleported to the tomb entrance at area 1. this first half of the tomb.
 11. PERILOUS HALL
This long hallway conceals one of the Tomb of Horrors'
deadliest traps.
At the end ofthis long corridor stands a broad door heavily
bound with iron bands and locks. As you approach. YOlL hear the
sound offar-offmusic and happy singing cominafrom beyond.
Six heavy locks are built into the door. all rusted shut. A
DC 25 Arcana check (trained on ly) reveals that powerful
magic also bars the door. which cannot be picked. forced.
or opened with the Knock ritual. It must be attacke d and
destroyed with melee weapons or powers that specifically
target objects: AC 4. Reflex 4. Fortitude 12.80 hit points.
As the door collapses inward. sounds of confusion come
from the darkn ess beyond, as of numerous creatures flee­
ina into the distance. Beyond the door stands another lana
passaaeway with walls ofsmooth white alabaster, its floor a
hiahly polished smoke-aray marble. The faint alow oftorch­
light can be seen recedina ahead ofyou.
The destruction of the door triggers a n auditory and visual
illusion that creates the appearance of the tunn el run­
ning off into darkness. However, when the first character
passes more th a n 30 feet from the doorway. the magically
counterweighted passageway suddenly lurches to slope
steeply down from the doorway. At the end of the passage.
a planar vent opens up to the Elemental Chaos. All charac­
ters north of the door are caught in the trap-not just those
who trigger it.
Elemental Vent Level 10 Elite Obstacle
Trilp XP 1.000
A shimmerin8 elemental8ate opens up to a vast pit offtames and
molten lava. ready to consume anythin8 that fails into it.
Trap: The elemental vent occupies an area 2 squares on a side.
Creatures within 10 squares of the vent are blasted by its
intense heat.
Perception
This trap cannot be detected with Perception.
Additional Skill: Arcana
• DC 30 (trained only): Powerful planar magic can be detected
at the location of the elemental vent before it erupts.
Trigger
The elemental vent attacks any creature that starts its turn
within 10 squares of it.
Attack
Opportunity Action Ranged
Target: The triggering creature
Attack: + 12 vs. Fortitude; for every 2 squares closer the target is to
the elemental vent, the trap gains a +1 bonus to the attack roll.
Hit: 2d1 0 + 5 fire damage. and the target takes ongoing 5 fire
damage and is dazed (save ends both).
Each Failed Saving Throw: The ongoing fire damage dealt by
~ the trap increases by 5.
0; Miss: 1 d1 0 fire damage. and the target is dazed until the end
of its next tu rn.
Special
If a creature enters the elemental vent. the vent automatically
hits with its next attack against that creature. even if the
creature has left the vent by the time that attack is made.
Any creature slain by the elemental vent is wholly consumed.
its body and gear destroyed.
Countermeasures
• A character gains a +2 bonus to Fortitude against the trap's
next attack with a DC 18 Endurance check (minor action) .
• A character can avoid the elemental vent by moving away
from it. However. the slanting passageway makes this
difficult, especially for characters dazed by the trap's effects.
See the skill challenge.
PERILOUS HALL
As th e corridor lurches downward , a blast offire erupts at
its end-a deadly elemental vent toward which you slide.
Setup: The magic of the corridor dumps the characters
toward a dead ly elemental vent. Scra mbling up and away
from the trap is a skill challenge.
Level: 9 (XP 1.200).
Complexity: 3 (special).
Primary Skills: Acrobatics, Athletics.
Acrobatics or Athletics (DC 17, move action): The char­
acter fights his or her way bac k up the slanting corridor.
A successful check allows the character to move at half
speed. On a failed check, the character slid es 2 squares
toward the bottom of the corridor and the elemental vent.
Acrobatics (DC 17, standard action): A charac ter with a
grappling hook and rope at hand can throw it to the top of
the corridor and secure it on the remains of the door. See
"Spec ial," below.
Secondary Skills: Acrobat ics, Arcana, Athletics.
Acrobatics or Athletics (DC 12, standard action): The
character helps an adjacent character climb. A successful
check grants one character adjacent to the character a +2
bonus to his or her next primary skill check in the chal­
lenge. On a failed check , both characters slide 2 squ ares
toward the bottom of the corridor and the element al vent.
Arcana (DC 12, minor action): The character attempts
to disrupt the magic controlling the movement of the
corridor. With a successful Arcana check, the charac ter
grants a +2 bonus to the next primary skill check made in
the challenge.
Special: A rope, whether tossed down and anchored by
characters beyond the door or affi xed to the door with a
grappling hook, gra nts a +2 bonus to primary checks made
in the challenge.
The same magic tha t turns the corridor north of the door
into a deadly trap negates teleportation effects and any
flying ability granted by an arcane, divine. or psioniC power.
Success and Failure: This skill challenge has no over­
all success or failure . Each character trapped in the corridor
must make as many successful checks as necessary to clam­
ber up and out of danger. Failure in the challenge is marked
by the number of characters slain by the trap.
12. WARDED DOOR
The corridor south of area lO's third pit ends in a false
crypt (see the nex t page) designed to make characters
believe they have bes ted the legend ary Tomb of Horrors.
The rea l entrance to the rest of the tomb is hidd en behind
a secret door at the top of the stairs.
Warded Door Level 10
the door to area 14. However, before the characters can
Puzzle XP 500
open the door, they must contend with the magically gen­
A secret door stands at the top of the stairs, but poweiful maBie
wards aBainst its openinB'
Puzzle: The characters must work out the mechanism of this
secret door to gain access to the second half of the tomb.
Perception
• DC 18: A character detects the secret door, but cannot
determine its opening mechanism.
Trap: This hazard fills area 13.
Arcana
Perception
• DC 26 (trained only; two checks): The character identifies
the powerful magic wards holding the door shut. A character
who can see invisible objects needs to make only one
successful check.
• DC 30 (trained only; after the wards have been successfully
identified): The door can be opened only after being targeted
by a dispel maBie spell or a Remove Affliction ritual.
Athletics or Thievery
• DC 18 (after dispel maBic or Remove Affliction; two checks):
The character opens the door.
The characters ea rn the major quest XP for the first half of
the ad venture when they open thi s route to the second
(and far more dangerous) h alf of the tomb.
13. CORRIDOR OF FEAR
Two flight s of stairs lead to a mist-filled corridor below.
A faint haze han8s in the air, obscurin8 the corridor beyond
20feet from the stairs. Faint in the haze, you see a dosed door.
It takes three DC 18 Athletics or Thievery check s to open
erated fear gas that fill s this corridor.
Fear Gas Level 8 Obstacle
Hazard XP 350
A risina dread fills you as you advance f arther down the co rl'idOI:
No check is necessary to notice the gas.
Arcana or Thievery
• DC 14 (trained only): The air here is tainted by a potent
magical toxin.
Trigger
The hazard attacks whe n a creature starts its turn in any of its squares.
Attack
Opportunity Action Melee 1
Target: Creature in a hazard square
Attack: + 11 vs . Fortitude
Hit: The target moves up the stairs and flees the area at a run
(save ends). The character chooses to run toward area 10 or
area 11 (or area 15 if the secret door at area 12 is open). The
OM determines what checks are made to navigate pits and
other hazards as long as the character is moving.
Countermeasures
• A character gains a + 2 bonus to Fortitude against the trap's
next attack with a DC 16 Endurance check (standard action).
• The magical fear gas is absorbed through the lungs and the
skin. However, a character holding his or her breath gains a +5
bonus to Endurance checks made to resist the effects of the gas .
• Once the door to area 14 is opened, the gas dissipates
in 1d4 rounds. If the door is closed, the gas
builds up again in 1 round.

Encounter Level 12 (3,600 XP)
SETUP
False Acererak (A)
Beyond the door, the characters desce nd into an area that
they a re meant to believe marks the end of the adventure.
A dark stairwell filled with webs descends to a narrow stone
chamber beyond. At the foot of the stairs, a faint aolden
liahtalows.
The thick webs block any movement down the stairs. A
DC 18 Athletics check or 6 points of fire damage clears 1
square of webs.
The aleam ofaolden liaht comes from a heavy mace inlaid
with silver that lies at the foot of the stairs. Beyond it spreads
a crypt filled with rottina and decayed furnishinas. A aleam·
ina aolden couch stands at its center. From it, a skeletal
fiaure with a crown on its head slowly rises.
Acererak has created a lich construct to distract and defend
against those who seek him. As it attacks, it shollts out in a
booming voice that emanates from the whole of the chamber:
"Who dares to disturb the rest ofAcererak? It is your death
you havefound!"
If the mace is picked up, it flares with the brightness of
a torch and informs its wield e r that it is a +3 disruptina
mace (DMA09 31; see th e statistics block). Though very
real, thi s weapon has been planted here by Acererak (see
"Tactics," below).
+3 Disrupting Mace Level 13
Created in ancient days by priests of r eior, this weapon is the bane
of undead evel)r.,vhere.
Weapon 17,000 gp
Enhancement: Attack rolls and damage rolls
Critical: + 3d6 radiant damage, or +3dl 0 radiant damage
against undead
Property: This weapon can be used as a holy symbol. It adds
its enhancement bonus to attack rolls and damage rolls, and
attacks can be augmented by this weapon's power when
it is used as an implement. You do not gain your weapon
proficiency to an attack roll when using a disrupting weapon
as an implement.
Power (Daily .. Radiant): Free Action. TriBBer: You hit an
undead creature with this weapon. Effect: The attack deals
3dlO extra radiant damage.
False Acererak (A) Level 14 Elite Controller
Medium natural humanoid, Ilch construct (undead) XI' 2,000
Initiative +11 Senses Perception +7; darkvision
Necromantic Aura (Necrotic) aura 5; any living creature that enters
or starts its turn within the aura takes 5 necrotic damage.
HP 286; Bloodied 143
Regeneration 10 (if the lich construct takes radiant damage, regen­
eration doesn't function on its next turn)
AC 28; Fortitude 27, Reflex 25, Will 25
Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic
Saving Throws +2
Speed 6
Action Points 1
@ lightning Bolt (standard; at-will) + lightning
Ranged Sight; does not provoke opportunity attacks; +19 vs. Reflex;
4d8 + 6 lightning damage.
::rPulse lightning (standard; at-will)
The lich construct makes 1i8htnin8 bolt attacks at two different crea­
tures. If an attack hits, the target also falls prone.
~:- Shadowstorm (standard; recharge iZllTIJ ) + Necrotic, Psychic,
Zone
Area burst 2 within 20; +19 vs. Fortitude; 4d8 + 6 necrotic and psy­
chic damage. The burst creates a zone that lasts until the end of
the lich construct's next turn. The zone is heavily obscured for all
creatures except the lich construct. Any creature that starts its
turn within the zone takes 10 necrotic and psychiC damage.
Sustain Minor: The zone persists.
Bound to the Tomb
When the lich construct is reduced to 0 hit pOints, its body and pos­
sessions crumble into dust, but it is not destroyed. It reappears in
10 days within the area in which it was killed.
Alignment Evil languages Abyssal, Common
Str 14 (+9) Dex 18 (+11) Wis 11 (+7)
Con 23 (+13) Int10(+7) Cha18(+11)
I TACTICS
The close qu ar ters and difficult terrain of this area are
designed to create a difficult encounter for characters
who normally depe nd on movement in combat. The lich
construct builds on this by layi ng down a shadowstorm,
sustaining that power and striking with pulse liahtnina as it
ignores the concealment that hinders its foes. The construct
pursues characters if they flee, tru sting the narrow confines
of the nea rby corridors to grant it further tact ical advantage.
Though the lich construct fights to the best of its ability,
it acts under a powerful charm effect tied to the golden
mace. Uhit by the mace, the creature makes a roaring
bellow as the weapon appears to stagger it. (Roll dice
and shake your he ad as if the weapon has som e as-ye t
unknown property dealing potent damage to Acererak).
DEVELOPMENT
The false Acererak shrieks as it dies, disappearing in
a cloud of dust that leaves only its crown behind. The
characters have 2 rounds to investigate the room (see
"Treasure," below). Then read the following:
With a dull rumblina, the room starts to shake. Stones rain
down from the ceilina as a areat arindina sounds out within
the walls, seemina to warn of an imminent collapse.
Magic brings th e ceiling of the false crypt down in a cloud
of dust and rubble 1 round after the characters flee . (If the
characters don't flee, the collapse deals 2d10 damage to
anyone remaining in area 14.) \iVhether the party runs out
or pokes around the rubble in the aftermath, ask them if
they thought it was too hard a dungeon . . . .
1$ THAT 1T?
Until the secret door at area 11 has been detected and
opened, the players might assume that this point in the
adventure marks the end of the Tomb of Horrors. If the
relative ease ofthe combat with "Acererak" doesn't inspire
them to keep exploring, they hopefully remember that
relatively few of the clues in the demilich's message (page
4) have so far come to pass. Additionally, something as
simple as a Consult Mystic Sages ritual can confirm that
the demilich has not been destroyed.
FEATURES OF THE AREA
Ceiling: The ce iling is 15 feet high .
Illumination: None.
Detritus: Rubble and rotting furniture make this
entire area difficult terrai n.
Treasure: Th e characters have only a limited time to
search this area, during which time they fInd a jade coffer,
the false Acererak's crown, and a fin e leather bag. (Savvy
players might wonder why this item hasn't rotted away
with the rest of the room's contents. Let them wonder.)
The jade coffer is worth 600 gp and contains 5 potions
of healina· The jeweled crown is a circlet of mental
onslauaht (AV 139) once the lich is destroyed. The leather
bag holds 450 gp, 28 gems (50 gp each), and ritual scrolls
(level 13 or lower) worth a total of 2,600 gpo (Raise Dead
and Remove Affliction should be among them.)
The gold-plated couch survives the collapse. It weighs 1,000
pounds, but four or more characters can squeeze it through
the dungeon's crawlspaces. It can be sold for 1,500 gpo
Crown of Fear Level 13 Elite Blaster
Trap 1,600 XP
The jeweled crown worn by the lich pulses with on unholy
black liaht.
Trap: Each round, the crown flares to instill fear in those
around it.
Additional Skills: Arcana or Religion
DC 20 (minor action): The crown is the source of the lich
construct's aura of fear, but it is susceptible to attack.
Initiative +17
Trigger
The trap attacks on the initiative of the creature that wears it.
Attack
Standard Action Close burst 10
Target: Two creatures in range
Attack: +17 vS. Will
Hit: 4d8 + 5 psychic damage, and the target is pushed 1
square and dazed (save ends).
Countermeasures
• The crown can be targeted separately from its wearer
by divine , arcane, or psionic powers. The crown uses the
wearer's defenses. If hit, the crown ignores the power's
normal damage and effect but takes a -2 cumulative penalty
to attack rolls. If the crown is hit five times, the trap is
disabled until the end of the encounter.
• The trap is permanently disabled if the lich construct is
destroyed, but the crown retain s some of its magic. See
"Treasure" under "Features of the Area."

 Three Vats Encounter Setup

Each of the va ts is filled with murky liquid whose IIndisturbed sur·
face 81eams in the li8ht.
Encounter Setup: These three vats conceal important treasure
Encou nt er Level 9 (2,400 XP) and a deadly menace.
Arcana
+ DC 25: Magic in all three vats prevents their contents from
evaporating.
SETUP • DC 30: The third vat is also imbued with more powerful
3 vat oozes magic, but its function is unknown.

Perception

The former function of this a rea is clear when the charac­
ters gain their first look through the door.
This ruined chamber was once a laboratory, and dusty jars
still clutter the shelves that line its walls. The j100r is strewn
with rubble and dust, workbenches and tables covered with
clay pots and urns, and bones and skulls. Three huge vats
stand to the south.
3 Vat Oozes Level 9 Elite Brute
Large natural bea5t (blind. ooze) XP 800 each
Initiative +8 Senses Perception +6; blindsight 10, tremors­
ense 10
HP 240; Bloodied 120
AC 21; Fortitude 22, Reflex 21 , Will 19
+ DC 12: At the bottom of the third vat lies a golden skeleton
key (see "The First Key," below).
+ DC 1 7: An apparently identical key lies at the bottom of the
second vat.
The First Vat: The first vat holds only a 3 -foot depth of
murky water.
The Second Vat: This contains a slow-acting acid that deals 5
ongOing acid damage starting the third round after contact
(save ends). A character who tests the acid by immersing
an object in it likely concludes that it is harmless unless the
object is watched for 3 rounds or more.
The Third Vat: The liquid in this vat is a trio of deadly oozes
in magical suspension. They attack if they or the vat are
disturbed in any way.
A character can enter the vat to retrieve the key, or can

Immune gaze; Resist 5 acid hook the key with an object of sllitable length and a DC

Saving Throws +2 17 Dexterity check. However, the acid utterly destroys any

Speed 4; climb 4 mundane object (including the clothing of a creature that

Action Points 1 enters the vat) within 1 minute of imme rsion . Magic items

CD Slam (standard; at-will ) • Acid are immune to this effect.

Reach 2; +12 vs. AC ; 2d12 + 3 acid damage , and the target is dazed
until the end of its next turn.
+ Pseudopod Strike (standard; at-will) TACTICS

The vat ooze makes two slam attacks against two different creatures. The oozes flow mindlessly toward the nearest cre at ures,

Ifboth attacks hit , each attack de als 1d12 extra damage. ignoring the difficult terrain of the rubbl e and the vats as

<~ Foul Spew (when first bloodied and again when the vat ooze drops
they lash out with pseudopod strike.

to 0 hit pOints) + Acid

Close burst 5; +10 vs. Fortitude; 2d12 + 3 acid damage, and the
target is stunned until the start of its next turn. THE FIRST KEY
Liquid Body
The golden skeleton key shows no sign of aBe but is cut in
A vat ooze ignores difficult terrain and does not provoke opportunity
attacks by moving.
halfalona its axis. Another mirror-image key would lock to
Alignment Unaligned languages - this piece to make a whole.
Str 15 (+6) Dex 18 (+8) Wis 15 (+6)
Con 20 (+9) Int 1 (-l)Cha 1 (-1) The two keys are two halves of the same key, both magical
_.-r---,
a nd impe rvious to harm. Joined together, the two halves
fuse to form the First Key. See a rea 31 for details.

FEATURES OF THE AREA

Ceiling: The ceiling is 15 feet high.
Illumination: None.
Vats: The three vats are affixed to the floor and cannot
be moved . Each vat is 7 feet in diame ter and 4 feet high.
The interior of a vat is difficult terrain. Hopping into or out
of a vat costs 1 additional squa re of move ment.
Ritual Supplies: The jars, pots, and urns scattered
throughout the room contain inactive alchemical reagents,
rotting unguents, and dried ointments. A DC 17 Religion
check connects these to the dark rituals by which a lich is
created (the lich construct in area 14 was made here).
16. PIT SPIKE BARRAGE
As the characters descend the stairs , they find the way
forward blocked.
Beyond the corner, a IOfoot deep pit completely fills 30 feet
ofpassaaeway ahead. Its floor is a mass ofwide-set rusted
iron spikes.
Cli mbing down into the pit (a DC 17 Athletics check) and
walking through the wide-set spikes is easy enough. How­
ever, the last 2 squares of the pit hold a deadly trap.
Pit Spike Barrage
Trap
Level 10 Elite Blaster
XP 1.000
The rusted iron spikes set across the floor of the pit suddenly
launch upward in a deadly barrage.
Trap: The two easternmost squares of the pit are a magic trap
that attacks with a volley of s pikes.
Perception
This trap cannot be detected with Perception.
Additional Skill: Arcana
• DC 25 (trained only): The last 5 feet of the pit are a
magic trap.
• DC 30 (trained only): A powerful enchantment at the
midpoint of the pit negates teleportation and any flying
ability granted by an arcane, divine, or psionic power. Any
creature that teleports or flie s across the pit ends its turn and
drops into a trapped square, triggering the trap.
Additional Skill: Thievery
• DC 17: As Arcana DC 25.
Trigger
Whenever a character moves into a trapped square, the
tra p attacks.
Attack
Opportunity Action Ranged 5
Target: The triggering creature and all other creatures in,
above, or adjacent to a trapped square
Attack: +13 vs. Refl ex
Hit: 3d6 damage, and the target is stunned until the end of
its next turn. The target must make a saving throw or be
knocked prone into the pit, landing on the spikes and taking
1 d1 0 damage. A target falling prone on the edge of the pit
must make a saving throw or tumble into the pit, taking
2d10 damage and triggering the trap.
Miss: Half damage.
Effect
The fired spikes dissolve into black mist, and new spikes
appear in the floor.
Countermeasures
• A character can jump the pit with a DC 31 Athletics check
(running start only). On a failed check, a character falls prone
in the pit, taking 3d1 0 damage. If the character's check res ult
determines that he or s he lands in one of the squares of the
trap, the trap attacks.
• A Medium character standing in the pit adjacent to th e area
of the trap can make two successive checks (DC 25 and DC
17 Athletics) to jump over the trap and grab the edge of th e
wall above, then climb up and out. If either check is failed, the
character falls in one of the squares of the trap, which attacks.
• A character can climb the wall in or above the pit with
a DC 17 Athl etics check. If a character attempts to climb
horizontally above the entire length of the pit, ma ke checks
as approp riate. Only one check is necessary to climb above
and over the trapped squares. On a failed check, a character
falls prone in the pit, taking 2d1 0 damage. If the character
falls in one of the squares of the trap, it attacks.
• A character can attempt to cross the pit on a rope, but the
corridor offers nowhere to anchor it. Two characters on
opposite sides of the pit can anchor a rope for a character
to clamber across. Each anchoring character makes a DC
12 Athletics check; th e climbing character makes a DC 17
Athl etics check. If any character fails a check, the climbing
character falls prone in the pit, taking 2d 10 damage. If the
character falls in one of the squares of the trap, it attacks.
 Green Slime HOl'l'ors Level 7 Lurker
Large nawral beast (blind, ooze) XP 300 each
Initiative +10 Senses Perception +5; blindsight 10, tremors·
ense 10
HP 67; Bloodied 33
Encounter Level 11 (Variable) AC 21; Fortitude 20, Reflex 19, Will 18
Immune gaze; Resist 5 acid; Vulnerable 5 fire, 5 radiant
Speed 4, climb 4
SETUP CD Engulf (standard; at·will) • Acid
Once a sort of fine lounge or funeral chamber, this area °
+1 vs. Reflex; 1d1 0+ 4 acid damage, and the target is engulfed (save
ends). Whil e engulfed, the target takes ongOing 5 acid damage
has been thoroughly ransacked.
and is restrained. While a target is engulfed, attacks that target
the green slime deal half damage to the slime and half damage to
The remains of rottinB sofas and thronelike chairs stand the engulfed creature. While it has a creature engulfed, the slime
amonB upturned tables, broken braziers, and chipped and can make attacks only against the engulfed creature.
dented vases and urns. Only the plain tapestries han8inB Rapid Dissolution
upon the east and west walls appear to have been spared a A green slime's attacks deal 1d6 extra acid damage to a creature that
is taking ongOing acid damage .
rouBh 100tinB. These feature weed.wown rocks and ween
Alignment Unaligned Languages-
and Bolden scenes of undersea life. Skills Stealth +11
Str 14 (+5) Dex 16 (+6) Wis 14 (+5)
The hidden dangers of this room are quiescent until some· Con 19 (+ 7) Int 3 (-l)Cha 1 (-2)
one disturbs them. However, the characters are unlikely
to remain here long without doing so. Each round starting Brown Mold Level 7 Obstacle
2 rounds after the first character enters, a violent magical Hazard XP 300
churning shakes the area. Each creature in the chamber The air grows noticeably cooler as you approach a patch of

must make a DC 19 Acrobatics check or slide Id4 squares dark mold.

in a random direc tion. (Once combat begins, this occurs Hazard: A patch of brown mold drains heat from its
on initiative count 0.) surrounding area, crippling creatures with deadly cold.
Perception
No check is necessary to notice the mold. In addition, the area
DEADLY TAPESTRIES within 30 feet of brown mold is noticeably cool.

Each square of tapestry lining the walls is a magically Additional Skill: Dungeoneering

treated crea tion of green slime and brown mold . A tapes· • DC 19: The character recognizes the brown mold.
try can be handled safely with a DC 19 Dexterity check. Trigger
On a failed check, or if a tapestry is roughly jostled (as by The hazard attacks when any creature enters or starts its turn
in its square or any square adjacent to it.
a character sliding into it), it transforms into a green slime
Attack. Cold
horror and attacks.
Opportunity Action Melee 1
A green slime dealt any amollnt of cold, fire, or lightning Target: The triggering creature
damage is transformed into brown mold that fills one of Attack: +10 vs. Fortitude
the green slime's squares. Hit: 2d8 cold damage, and ongoing 5 cold damage (save ends).
Miss: Half damage.
Special
TACTICS If a square of mold is targeted by or within the area of an
The green slime horrors throw themselves at the nearest attack that deals fire damage, all adjacent squares become

combatants until the first character is successfully attacked brown mold if they are not already.

by enBulf All other slimes then target that foe for a quick kill. Countermeasures

• A square of brown mold is destroyed if targeted by an attack

that deals cold damage.
DEVELOPMENT
The characters cannot detect the secret door out of this
area until its tapestry is safely handled or transformed.
"
FEATURES OF THE AREA
Ceiling: The ceiling is 20 feet high .

Illumination: None.

Rotting Furnishings: The debris here makes this

entire chamber difficult terrain.

Treasure: Platinum coins and gems are scattered
among the detritus. A DC 13 Pe rception check (a standard
action) allows a charac ter to scoop up 3 PP or 2 gems (100
gp each). The characters can claim a total ofl5 PP and 10
gems in this way.
II FEATURES OF THE AREA
Ceiling: The ceiling is 30 feet high in the center of the
chamber and 10 feet high along the walls.
Illumination: The mist sheds dim light throughout
Encounter Level 9 (2,300 XP)
the area.
Silver and Gold Mist: The flowing mist grants con·
cealment to all creatures in the cavern. In addition , a ny
SETUP
creature except the siren that starts its turn in the mist
1 cavern siren (S)
must make a DC 17 Endurance check or be dazed (save
ends). A creature that makes a sllccessful check is no
Acererak has bound a cavern siren to this place with a
longer affected by the mist.
povverful charm.
Grotto: A stone-vvalled grotto in the center of the
cavern is the siren's lair. These rough stone walls are
The corridor's walls offinished stone Bive way to the rouBh blocking terrain.
rock of a natural chamber. Silvery mist shot throuBh with Treasure: A search of the chamber turns up two
delicate streamers ofBold fills the air ahead. ragged leather packs in the siren's grotto . The first holds
] ,000 sp, 600 gpo and 10 pp. The second contains level 12
The siren appears to the first character to pass more than
bracers ofrespite (All 115). Though they appear worthless,
10 feet into the area.
both packs are handy haversacks.

From out ofthe mists steps a reBal human female. As she

Cavern Siren (S) Level 13 Elite Controller
prepares to attack, her voice rinBs out like music: "ForBive Medlulll fey humanoid XP 1.600
me . . . ." Initiative +10 Senses Perception +13
\
TACTICS
Siren's Song aura 1; any enemy that enters the aura or starts its turn
there is dazed until the end of its next turn.
HP 262; Bloodied 131
The siren uses prison oftears as often as possible to avoid
AC 27; Fortitude 24, Reflex 24. Will 28
the penalty for concealment in the mists. It uses its voice of
,\
compulsion until prison oftears recharges.
Immune charm
Saving Throws +2
Speed 8 (earth walk)

,.,. \ ACERERAK'S CURSE Action Points 1

6) Voice of Compulsion (standard; at-will) • Psychic
The siren fiBhts with all its strenBth, but its heart is not in +17 vs. Will; 4d8 + 5 psychic damage.

this battle. ~:- Prison of Tears (standard; recharge iZHU] ). Psychic

Setup: In addition to the siren's initial words, any Area burst 1 within 10; targets one creature; +17 vs . Reflex; 4d8 +

[nsight check suggests that the creature is under some sort 5 psychic damage, and the target takes ongoing 5 damage and is
of compulsion forcing it to fight. stunned (save ends both).
Cavern Walk (move; at·will). Teleportation
Level: 8 (XP 700).
The cavern siren can teleport 8 squares jf it begins and ends that
Complexity: 2 (requires 6 successes before 3 failures). movement on unworked rock or stone.
Primary Skills: Bluff. Diplomacy, Intimidate. Alignment Unaligned Languages Common, Elven
I
Bluff, Diplomacy, or Intimidate (DC 17, standard Skills Bluff +17. InSight +13, Stealth +15
I
action): The character attempts to cajole or threaten the
siren. All skills are equally effective, but a character
Str 16 (+9)
Con 19 (+10)
Dex 18 (+10)
Int 11 (+6)
Wis 14 (+8)
Cha 22 (+12)
cannot make both Diplomacy and Intimidate checks in
the challenge.
Special: A character that fails a check in the challenge 19. TRUE FALSE DOOR
makes a charge attack or a basic attack against its nearest A solid stone wall behind a fa Ise
ally as a free action, then ends its turn. This is a charm effect.
door conceals a secret door (Per·
Success: If the characters earn 6 successes in the chal­ ception DC 17). Just beyond
lenge, they break Acererak's control of the siren.
the secret door is a secret
Failure: lfthe characters have 3 failures in the chal­ trapdoor in the corridor
le nge, the siren gains a +1 bonus to attack rolls and a +2
floor (Perception DC 25).
bonus to all defenses until the end of the encounter. A flight of rough stairs
leads down to a 5 ·foot­
DEVELOPMENT diame ter crawlspace and
If the characters succeed on the skill challenge, the siren area 22 .
breaks off hostilities, whispering thanks as it vanishes
into the mist. Award full XP for the creature if it
has not b een bloodied; halfXP otherwise.
Encounter Level 10 (2,800 XP)
SETUP
The corridor from the true false door leads to a dead-end
night of stairs leading up- and a deadly h azard.
This heavy stone door is hinaed to openfrom either side,
its surface battered and cracked. Th e stonefloors here are
stained a disquietina red-black.
All three doors in this area are identical , allowing the jug­
gernaut (see below) to pass in both direc tions . Opening the
first set of doors triggers two effects.
Stone Juggernaut Level 16 Elite Obstacle
Hazard XP 2.800
The rumblintJ construct advances, then suddenly retrea ts, chartin8
an erratic course alontJ the corridor.
Hazard: This hazard fills a space 2 squares on a side, and
moves back and forth along the corridors north of area 19.
Characters must move past the juggernaut to advance.
Perception
From ahead comes a duH rumblina. Burstina throuah the
No check is necessary to notice the juggernaut.
swinaina stone doors, a massive construct fill s the corridor
Trigger
Sleep Gas Environment Effect
A sudden torpor comes over you as a sweet scent wafts thl'ou8h
the air.
Environment Effect: A pulse of slee p gas drops unwitting
victims in advance of the juggernaut's approach .
Trigger
The door to area 20 is opened
Attack
Opportunity Action Area special
Target: Each creature north of area 19
Attack: + 14 vs. Fortitude
Hit: The target is dazed and slowed (save ends both).
First Failed Saving Throw: The target falls prone and is
stunned instead of dazed.
Second Failed Saving Throw: The target is unconscious
instead of stunned and also takes a - 2 penalty to saving
throws (save ends).
A great magical construct known as a stone juggernaut
leaves are a 21 at the same time, moving as indicated in the
statistics block. Although this is not a combat encounter.
lise initiative and a battle map to track move ment.

as it advances on heavy bloodstained wheels.

The juggernaut is activated when the door to area 20 is opened .

It then attacks whenever a creature moves into its space.

Attack

Opportunity Action Melee 1

Target: The triggering creature

Attack: + 21 vs. Reflex

Hit: Ongoing 1 5 damage (save ends). The target cannot

save against this ongoing damage while it is within the

juggernaut's space.

Each Failed Saving Throw: The ongoing damage increases by 5.

Effect
Each round on initiative count 0, roll a d6. On a result of 3 or
lower, the juggernaut rolls 2d4 squares ahead (south or west).
On a result of 4 or more, it rolls 2d4 squares back toward area
21 (north or east). The juggernaut completely fills the width
and height of the corridor, magically flexing to turn corners.
Countermeasures
• A character adjacent to the juggernaut can leap over its
crushing wheels and scramble across to the other side with a
DC 31 Athletics or Acrobatics check as part of a move action.
If the check fails by 5 or lower, the character stays in place. If
the check fails by more than 5, the character falls under the
juggernaut 's deadly rollers and triggers an attack.
• A character attempting to fly past the construct must make
an Acrobatics or Athletics check as above, but gains a +5
bonus to the check .
• The juggernaut can be teleported past, as normal.
• A character adjacent to the juggernaut can attempt to direct
its movement with a DC 22 Arcana or Thievery check. With
a successful check, a character adds or subtracts 1 to the
construct's next d6 roll, increasing the chances that it retreats
along the corridor in one direction or the other.
• A character who moves south of area 19 or into the dead­
end stairs cannot be attacked by the juggernaut.
 21. JUGGERNAUT ROOM
This du sty, bloodstained chamber hou ses the juggernaut
encountered in area 20.
22. ADAMANTINE DOOR
Another corridor a nd a wondrous door lies beyond the
narrow crawlspace.
An enormous door fills the corridor from floor to ce i/ina,
aleamina with the dull sheen of adamantine.
Adamantine Door Level 10
Puzzle XP SO()
Th e door has no handle or visible lock-only three slots at waist
hei8ht, each 3 inch es wide by 1 inch hi8h.
Puzzle: The presentation of weapons opens this magic door.
Arcana
• DC 26 (trained only): Powerful magic seals this door and
make s it impervious to damage or theft.
• DC 30 (trained only): Identical objects fed into the three
slots activate the magic that opens the door.
Effect
The door can be opened only if three sword blades are placed
simultaneously into the three slots. (Panicked characters
might assume that this door d estroys items used to open it,
as with the portal of area 9C. However, the swords can be
. \ removed even as the door swings open.)
After S minutes, the door swings shut in 1 round with an echoing
clang. It cannot othel'\'Vise be budged or blocked, and it cannot
be opened again from the other side. This section of the tomb
can be exited only through the phase doors at area 30.
23. PILLARED THRONE ROOM
The ceilina ofthis huae chamber is supported by scores of
massive columns, each carved ofcolorful paste! stone. A
aentle breeze blows throuah the room.
Pillars of Levitation Environment Effect
The muted colors of the pillars reflect liaht with a stranad),
s inister cast.
Environment Effect: The pillars of the throne room are imbued
with powerful levitation magic.
Arcana
• DC 26 (trained only): Each of the 3 ·foot ·diameter pillars
radiates powerful levitation magic.
Effect
Any creature that comes into contact with a pillar floats
upward to bounce along the ceiling 30 feet above (save e nd s;
the creature takes a -S pe nalty to this saving throw). When
the effect ends, th e creature falls for 3d1 0 damage.
While this levitation is in effect, a creature has no control over
its movement. The magical breeze in this area is drawn into
the mouths of the devil faces to the northwest and northeast
(s ee below). A levitating creature drifts at a rate of 4 squares
per round toward one face or the other.
Countermeasures
• Magic imbued into the columns and the ceiling gives
the stone an icy slickness onto which characters cannot
grab. However, a floating character can loop a rope around
a column to stop his or her movement with a DC 18
Acrobatics check (standard action ).
• A characte r on the floor can toss a rope up to a floating
character with a DC 13 Acrobatics check . The floating
character makes the same check to grab the rope , stopping
his or her movem e nt.
23A. GREEN DEVIL
JlIst below the ceilina, the wall is set with a mosaic ofaareen
devil. This appears to be exactly the same as that first seen
in the entrance hall to the tomb.
Any creature floating within 5 fe et of this face 's gaping
maw is sucked in and teleported nude to area IF, and spat
out from the green devil's mouth. The character's gear is
teleported to area 32 .
23B. BLUE DEVIL
Except for its color, this face is identical to the green devil ,
above. Any character floating within 5 fe et of its mouth is
draw n in and tel eported to area 27.
23C. CHARRED REM AINS
In thefarthest corner of the chamber, the charred remains of
a ha![dozen adventurers circle a hU8e, alowina oranae aem.
This cursed m agic gem play s on the despe ration of charac­
ters trapped in this part of the tomb.
 Cursed Wishing Gem Magic Relic Golden Crown and Scepter Magic Relics
The 8em's unearthl), linht pulses with a slow and sinister air. The crown upon the throne is solid gold and set with wh ite
diamonds. The scepter is crafted of a Silver-gold alloy, with
Magic Relic: This cursed gem destroys those who attempt
a golden ball at one end and a silver knob at the other.
to use it.
Magic Relics: The crown and scepter allow the characters to
Arcana
pass beyond this hall and into area 28. However, characters
• DC 25 (trained only): This powerful magic gem allows a
using them must be wary.
creature to make a single wish for anything it desires.
Arcana
• DC 30 (trained only): The gem's curse twists any wish
• DC 26 (trained only): The crown and the scepter have
made through it.
distinct powers and properties, and are inextricably linked.
Effect
• DC 30 (trained only): Once put on, the crown cannot be
No matter what is desired by the character daring to touch
removed without touching the correct end of the scepter to
it and wish, a reverse or perversion will bring doom to that
it. However, no clue is given as to which end of the scepter is
character and all named in the wish. The gem then begins to
the correct one.
pulse with a red glow and explodes 1 round later.
Effect
Standard Action Close burst 3
A creature wearing the crown is immune to the effect of the
Attack: +18 vs. Reflex
pillars of levitation and can see within the darkened hall as
Hit: 5dl 0 damage, and ongoing 10 damage (save ends).
if in normal daylight. However, that creature is blinded while
Aftereffect: Ongoing 5 damage (save ends)
outside area 23. A character who wears the crown knows that
Miss: 3dl 0 damage , and ongoing 5 damage (save ends).
it cannot be removed without touching the scepter to its top.
Effect: The gem remains as a noisome mass of stinking purple
If the golden ball of the scepter is touched to the golden
mold that reforms as the gem in one week.
crown, the wearer can lift it safely from his or her head. If the
silver end is touched to the crown, the wearer takes ongOing
20 damage (save ends) but the crown falls free.
CAREFUL WHAT YOU W1SH FOR Both of these items are bound to this area. A character

Wish magic was a popular part of older editions of the Wielding either the crown or the scepter cannot move

beyond the doors at area 22 or area 28 .

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS game-not just for the power it offered

players, but for the fun a OM could have twisting wishes
in amusing ways. This gem takes that concept to its worst 24. E MPTY CHAMBER
level. A character who wishes Acererak destroyed will be This door is identical to the door to area 25.
teleported alone to the de milich's crypt (area 32) to do the
job. A character who wishes for a +5 holy aven8er will have This door is smooth stone with a brass pull at its center. As
it delivered in the form of an animated weapon that fights you approach, it shimmers with a faint blue liaht.
to the death. For those foolish or desperate enough to use

i
!
I
this gem, feel free to pull out all the stops.

23D. EBONY DAIS AND

SILVER THRONE
\IV hen the door is touched , the blu e glow flare s brighter.
Inside the chamber is nothing but du st.

The stark blackness ofthis huae dais contrasts with the

pastel shades ofthe rest of the hall. Atop the dais rests an
obsidian throne inlaid with silver and ivory skulls. A aold
crown and a scepter of80ld and silver rest upon the throne.

Keyed to the scepter, the throne marks the hidden

entrance out of this area.

The front of the throne is set with a re plica of the crown

inlaid in silver. If the silver end of the scepter touched to
it, the throne sinks and reveals a 5-foot-wide passageway
leading south (see area 28). The throne cannot be moved
again by any means.
 'The mummy crypt master 's wrappings are imbued with
resistance magic that overcomes its normal vulnerability to fire.

TACTICS

Encounter Level 9 (2,000 XP) T h e 1TI1lInmy c rypt master opens with stunnina strike, forc­

ing the nearest character out the door and pushing the

fight into th e Wide-open space of th e pilla red hall.

SETUP Once in th e open, the creat ure sp ends its ac tion points to
1 mummy crypt master lise double atrack, stunnina strike, and cr,"pr shroud ill the
same round s. It lIses stunnina strike to slid e characters into
As the c h aracters approach, this stone door glows blue the p illars and levitate th em out of the fight. Ifa character
like that of area 24 (previous page). However, this cham­ tri es the same approach , the crypt m as ter's unholy aid a nd
ber is not empty. bonus to sa\' i ng throws quickly bring it back to th e ground.
The cryp t master does not pursue if the characters flee
A larae wooden sarcophaaus rests upon a low stone table th e pillared hall.
at the center ofthis small room. Various broken and looted
chests, urns, and coffers are scattered about the area. FEATURES OF THE A REA
Ceiling: The ceiling is 20 feet high in the crypt and 30
Inside the sa r cophagus are the mummified re mains of a
fe e t high in the pillared hall.
human, its tattere d wrappings partially und o ne . A huge
Illumination: None.
amethyst is barely visible in the corp se's left eye socket
Sarcophagus: This ston e sarcophagus is blocking terrain.
(Perception DC 18). This gem radi ates dark magic (Arcana
Pillars: See "Pillar Throne Room," page 24.
DC 30, tra ined only). Ifit is removed, the remains animate
Treasure: The huge amethyst is worth 500 gp, but any
as a mummy crypt master.
creature ca rrying it takes a -2 penalty to saving throws
because of its curse. A Remove Affliction ritual (see Play­
Mummy Crypt Master Level 9 Solo Brute er's Handbook, page 311) negates this effect.
. \ Medium n~tural humanoid (undead) XP 1.000
Inside the sar cophagus, three level 4 potions ofresis­
Initiative +7 Senses Perception +11; darkvision
Despair (Fear) aura 5; enemies within the aura take a -2 penalty to
tance (fire) are hidd en within th e mummy 's di scarded
attack rolls against the mummy crypt master. wrappings. (Similar potions are what bestowed the crea­
HP 400; Bloodied 200 ture's fire resistance.)
Regeneration 10 (if the crypt master takes radiant damage, regen­
eration doesn't function on its next turn)
AC 23; Fortitude 23, Reflex 21 , Will 20
Immune disease, poison; Resist 5 fire while not bloodied', 10 necrotic
Saving Throws +5
Speed 5
Action Points 2
CD Rotting Slam (standard; at-will) • Disease, Necrotic
+14 vs. AC; 4d8 + 1 necrotic damage, and the target is exposed to
level 8 mummy rot (see Monster Manual, page 192).
+ Double Attack (standard; at-will)
The mummy crypt master makes two rottin8 slam attacks. If both
attacks hit the same target, th e target is exposed to level 13
mummy rot instead of level 8 mummy rot.
+ Stunning Strike (minor l / round; at-will) • Fear
+12 vs. Will; 4d8 + 1 damage, and the target slides 3 squares and is
stunned until the end of its next turn.
~l- Crypt Shroud (standard; recharge r;:;J lIT) • Necrotic
Area burst 2 within 10; +12 vs. Fortitude; 3d8 + 9 necrotic damage,
and the target is weakened (save ends).
<~ Mummy's Curse (when reduced to 0 hit points) • Disease
Close burst 10; targets enemies; +12 vs. Will; the target contracts
level 8 mummy rot.
Unholy Aid (immediate interrupt, when the crypt master suffers an
effect that a save can end; recharge TIl)
The crypt master automatically saves against the triggering effect.
Alignment Unaligned languages Common

Str 18 (+8) Dex 17 (+7) Wls 14 (+6)

Can 20 (+9) Int 8 (+3) Cha 15 (+6)

 Animated Arms and Armor level 9 Solo Obstacle

Trap XP 2.000
Shields and weapons fly offthe walls of their own accord, batter­
in8 and slashin8 a deathly swath throu8h any creatures within
the area.
Encounter Level 9 (2,000 XP) Trap: When any creature crosses the threshold of the room,
the weapons and shields here fly off the walls and attack.
Perception
SETUP This trap cannot be detected with Perception.
The characters can enter this area from the pillared hall Additional Skill: Arcana
(area 23), or after being teleporte d to area 27 by the blue • DC 25 (trained only): The shields and weapons are imbued
with powerful magic that animates them to attack.
devil in th e hall. Both doors into this area are identical,
Trigger
and both are similar to the d oo rs to areas 24 and 25 . • Each creature that enters area 26 triggers the trap and
becomes a target.
Set with an iron pull rina , this stone door alows a faint lilac Attack
color as you approach. Standard Action Melee special
Target: The triggering creature
When either door is touched, the glow pulses to a bright Attack: + 1 2 vs. AC (see "Special); two attacks
Hit: 4d8 damage. If both attacks hit, the target is dazed until
and coruscating purple with tinges of sickly gree n . The
the end of its next turn.
view beyond both doors is the same. Miss: Half damage.
Effect
A small, bare chamber has another door on the opposite Whenever another creature becomes a target of the trap,
wall. Pairs ofswords crossed behind shields hana here- three another shield and weapon set flies off the wall to attack that
such sets are on each ofthe side walls, with two sets j1ankina creature. The trap gains a +1 bonus to attack rolls, damage
rolls, and all defenses (see below), to a maximum of +8 if
each ofthe doors.
eight creatures are engaged by all eight weapon and shield
sets. A creature cannot be targeted by more than one set.
TACTICS Special
This trap encounter requires you to track movement only if The attack modifier above assumes that the triggering creature
the characte rs flee. However, you need to track hit points enters the room from area 23. If the triggering creature
enters from area 27, the trap starts the encounter at its
and defenses for each shield and weapon set, and attack
maximum +20 vs. AC, with a +8 bonus to damage rolls and a
and damage modifiers for the trap as a whole.
+8 bonus to all defenses.
The trap continues to attack targets anyvvhere in area Countermeasures
23, area 26, or area 27, regardless of where or how those • A character gains a + 2 bonus to AC against the trap's next
targets move. If the doors to area 26 are shut, a shield and attack with a DC 17 Acrobatics, Arcana, or Athletics check
weapon set teleports through them. Howeve r, area 24 and (minor action).
area 25 can be llsed to hide from the trap, or the charac­ • An individual shield and weapon set can be attacked to
destroy it: AC 8, Reflex 8, Fortitude 8; 30 hit points (but
ters can flee to area 28 if the secret door has been opened.
see "Effect ," above). If a set is destroyed, the trap's bonus to
If the mummy crypt master encounter (area 25) spills
attack rolls, damage rolls, and all defenses is reduced by 1.
into area 26 while the trap is active . the trap attacks the The target is no longer attacked unless he or she triggers the
mummy as well as the characters. trap again by leaving, then entering area 26 .
• Each time a creature is reduced
to 0 hit points or fewer by the
trap, the shield and weapon set
attacking that creature flies back
to the wall. The trap's bonus to
attack rolls, damage rolls, and all
defenses is reduced by 1.
• If the trap goes 5 rounds
without making an attack roll
because it has no targets, all
shield and weapon sets return to
area 26. The trap resets until such
time as another creature enters
area 26.
• Only after all shield and
weapon sets are destroyed is it
possible to safely pass through
area 26.

~'-~--. - - ----- - ---

 The bronze key is the Second Key (see area 31). A power·
ful m agical effec t means that a ny creature attempting to
touch the key m us t make a DC 18 Arcana ch eck or be
unable to come wit hin 2 feet of it for 24 hours.

Mithral Gates Level 10

Puzzle XP 500

Where the mithral8ates meet, a hemispherical cavity with a hole

at its center is set at waist hei8ht.
Puzzle: The characters mu st open these gates to move farther
into th e tomb, but d oing so improperly can be dangerous.
Perception
• DC 18: Th e hol e in the concavity is clearly a keyhole , but the
lock cannot be pi cked.
Effect: If the Second Ke y is inserted into the keyhole, the
creature doing so takes 1 d1 0 lightning damage. A creature
trying the First Key in the hole takes 2d1 0 lightning damage.
21CHAMBER OF Arcana
• DC 26 (train e d only): Powerful magic seals these doors and
HOPELESSNESS makes them impervious to damage or theft.
• DC 30 (train ed only): The keyhole is false. Magic is the only
Creatures te leported here from the blue devil in area 23
thing that can open thes e gates.

face a grim fate. Effect

The real key to these gre at gates is the scepter from area

This small chamber is strewn with numerous skeletons and it
is foul with the scent of rot. A smallfountain spills water into
a basin and drain s away through side holes along thefloor.
Inglowingl etters, aarim warning is set along one wall:
"You who dared to violate my tomb now pay the price.
Stay here and die slowly ofstarvation, or open and enter the
door to your south where certain but quick death awaits."
230. The golden ball is an almost perfect fit for th e cavity. If
the ball is placed within the cavity, the mithral gates swing
Silently open. If the silver knob is instead touche d to th e
doors, the scepter's wielder is teleported and spat out nude
from the devil 's mouth at area 1 F. The character's gear is
teleported to area 32, while the crown and scepter teleport
back to the thron e at area 230.

The water is dr inkable and ca n prolong the lives a nd suf·

fering of those trapped he re. The only ex it from the room
is the door to the south . However, if any creature enters
area 26 from here, the deadly trap in th at chamber attacks
that creature at full streng th (see the previous page).

TREASURE
The scattered gear of the adventurers who died here
amounts to 350 gp, 500 sp, 10 gems (20 gp each), a nd a
level 10 potion of clarity (AV 188). It ta kes 10 minutes to
thoroughly sea rch the room .

28: MITHRAL GATES

Once the throne has been o pened (see area 23D), th e
narrow passage behind it leads south .

A wide landing opens up ahead, its walls and ceiling of

untarnished silver and copper inlaid with ivory. A rising
staircase is carved of multicolored semipreciolls stone, and
two massive mithralgates stand dosed above it. Upon the
fourth step is a large, cylindrical bronze key.
 Efreet Urn Slaves Level 12 Minion Artillery
Large elemental humanoid (fire) XP 175 each
Initiative +11 Senses Perception +9
H P 1; a missed attack never damages a minion.
AC 14; Fortitude 14, Reflex 15, Will 13
Encounter Level 11 (Variable) Immune fire
Speed 6, fly 8 (hover)
CD Fiery Slam (standard; at-will). Fire
SETUP Reach 1; +15 vs. Reflex; 11 fire damage (save ends).
-.l~. Fire Bolt (standard; at-will). Fire
Acererak has constructed another false crypt to dissuade
Area burst 1 within 10; +16 vs. Fortitude; ongOing 5 fire damage
treasure-seekers from further exploration.
(s ave ends). Each Failed Savina Throw: The ongOing fire damage
increases by 5.
A ceilina of untarnished silver rises above the polished stone Slave's Rage (immediate interrupt, when the urn slave is damaged by
floor ofthis imposina chamber, its ivory walls inlaid with an attack; encounter) • Fire
aold. Two iron chests stand to either side of a aranite sar­ The urn slave takes no damage from the attack, and it gains a +1
cophaaus araven with ancient alyphs. A thin stream of smoke bonus to attack rolls and damage rolls until the end of its next
turn.
rises from a 1arae brass urn set with filiareed aold. In allfour
Alignment Evil languages Primordial

corners stand 9foot-tall statues offierce demonic warriors Str 18 (+10) Dex 11 (+11) Wis 16 (+9)

cast in black iron, and their dread weapons are raised. Con 16 (+9) Int 11 (+7 ) Cha 11 (+6)

The only exit from this area is hidden beneath one of the
TACTICS

iron statues. However, moving any statue or touching the

The urn slaves mob the nearest opponen ts initially, know­

urn summons this area's gu ardians.

ing that their slave's ra[Je protects them from initial attack.

An urn slave then breaks away from other slaves to avoid

EFREET SMOKE URN area at tack s.

The urn shudders as a humanoid form bursts from the top­ The efreets do not pursue characters out of this cham·
an efreet warrior-slave, howlin[J in murderous ra[Je. ber, but they remain here ready to fight if the characters
Setup: Each round on initiative count 0 , the brass leave and then retur n.
urn summons two efreet urn slaves that appear in unoc­
cupied spaces in the chamber. The urn summons efreets
until disabled .
Level: 11 (XP 1,800).
Complexity: 3 (re quires 8 successes before 3 failures).
Primary Skills: Arcana, Athletics, Thieve ry.
Arcana (DC 18, standard action): The character dis­
rupts the urn's summoning magic. In addition to gaining a
success in the challenge, the next time the urn summons
efreets , only one appea rs.
Athletics (DC 26, standard action):The character can
hinder the urn's power by smashing it with brute force. On a
failed check, each efreet in the chamber gains a +2 bonus to
attack rolls and damage rolls until the end ofits next turn.
Thievery (DC 18, standard action): The character
attempts to disrupt the urn's summoning mechan ism.
Once the characters have 7 successes, they can make only
Thievery checks in the challenge.
Success: The urn cracks and collapses to shards as any
surviving efreets van ish. The summoning energy fading
from the urn restores each character as ifhe or she had
taken an extended rest.
Failure: The urn summons four efreets and resets itself.
The characters must attempt the skill challenge again .
 FEATURES OF THE AREA 30. PHASE DOOR
Ceiling: The ceiling is 30 feet high.
Two portals here let characters pass through to the corri ­
Illumination: None.
dors to the sOllth. The doors cannot be detected from the
Brass Urn: The smoke issues from a vent where the
corridor side.
urn's brass stopper has been sealed with gold. Touching
the urn starts the skill challenge.
Any efreet fighting adjacent to the urn gains a +2 bonus
to attack rolls, damage rolls, and all defenses.
31. EMPTY CRYPT
The characters' travails in the tomb have finaJly led
Sarcophagus: The granite sarcophagus is set into the
them to Acererak's resting place. However, entering the
floor and immovable. It takes a DC 13 Athletics check
demilich's crypt involves a deadly challenge.
to jump onto or over the sarcophagus as part of a move
action. The sarcophagus provides cover.
The ancient glyphs can be read as "ACERE­
RAK" with a DC 18 Arcana or Religion check.
It takes three simultaneous DC 18 Strength
checks to lift the lid, revealing bones, ruined
jewelry, a broken staff, and a shattered skull.
A DC 26 Arcana check identifies an epic
tier staff of power, drained and ruined. Acer­
erak hopes intruders conclude he is likewise
destroyed, even as his magic traps have some­
how survived him.
Iron Statues: Any creature fighting adja­
cent to a statue takes a -2 penalty to attack
rolls. This is a fear effect.
The characters can move the massive stat­
ues only by making four simultaneous DC 18
Strength checks. Moving any statue activates
the skill challenge. If the statue in the north­
west corner is moved, it reveals a ring pull that
raises a small plug of stone. A narrow chute
drops 10 feet down to the corridor to the west.
Iron Chests: Each of these 3-foot-by-3­
foot-by-5-foot chests is set into the stone floor
and immovable. Both show marks of prying
and battering. It takes an extra move action to
hop up onto a chest. A chest provides cover.
It takes two DC 18 Thievery checks (trained
only) to open each chest. On each failed check,
a poison needle in the lock makes an attack:
+13 vs. Fortitude; ongoing 5 poison damage
(save ends).
".,,' 'I .
Treasure: The eastern chest holds 250 \. .. ~ :".~'.'::... '.~.:.'. ::
gems (10 gp each); the other contains 2,800 \. .f: . . ":.i~
gpo If removed from the dungeon, these 'l~~:<: :"
become worthless gla ss and low-quality
copper, respectively.

,I,
I
 Empty Crypt Level 10 Turning the second key herald s the appearance of Acer ·
Puzzle XP SOD
e rak 's true cry pt-and puts the cha racters in grave peril.
A sin81e hidden keyhole stands at the center of this blank
stone wall.
Puzzle: A pair of magically warded portals marks the entrance Hidden Vault Level 13 Elite Blaster
to Acererak's crypt. Trilp XP 1.600 ,I

Arcana The slowly risin8f1oor suddenly slams upward at hi8h speed,

• DC 26: Magic pulses within this blank stone wall. crushin8 anyone on it a8ainst the cei!in8 above.
Perception Trap: The hidden chamber below this one slams up to fill this area.
• DC 18: A chip of stone in the wall flakes away to reveal a metal · Perception
lined keyhole.
This trap cannot be detected with Perception.
Effect
Trigger
• If the First Key is inserted into the keyhole, the wall descends to Once the floor begins to rise, each character in area 32 has
expose area 32. one action with which to leave.
With a rumble, the entire wall sinks into th e floor, revea/ina a burial Attack
vault whose arched ceilina rises 25 feet overhead. The room is empty of Free Action Melee
everythina but dust. Target: All creatures in area 32
Arcana Attack: + 1 8 vs. Reflex
• DC 26 (trained only): The floor of this empty vault pulses with Hit: OngOing 20 damage and the target is stunned (save ends).
arcane power.
Miss: Ongoing 10 damage and the target is dazed (save ends)
Perception
Effect
• DC 18: Another hidden keyhole is revealed beneath a thin layer of The target falls prone and is trapped between the risen floor
painted plaster in the center of the room. (the ceiling of the new chamber) and the old ceiling above.
Effect A character cannot make saving throws against ongOing
A character who in se rts the First Key into the keyh ole is blown 20 damage dealt by this trap until he or she is freed from it.
feet into the air, takes 2d6 necrotic and radiant damage, then takes Countermeasures
falling damage as normal. The Second Key can be inserted safely • A trapped character escapes from the trap with two DC 26
into the keyhole. Athletics checks (standard action ). A character not stunned
Arcana or Thievery by the trap can make these checks, as can characters outside
• DC 18: The character mu st turn the key more than once to the trap and at the height of the ceiling. (A character who
activate the magic within the floor. cannot fly can make a DC 26 Athletics check to climb to the

\~ Effect
If the character turns the key three times to the right in succession,
height of the arched ceiling 20 feet above.) A character who
escapes from the trap falls 20 feet to the floor.
j the floor of area 32 splits along its midway point and begin s to rise
slowly. The true crypt (see the next page) is ben eath this empty
chamber, moving up from below to fill it.

:--:==-~

~;~~
 I J~=~~~~~~~~~~~:;:;;:;;;;;~;o;;e;a.
I~
1-.. . . . ~-..:E~n
...C....e;....
O u!:&O!: V~e;t.;1~1.-: 3'-(
n...:t...e.0.4:r:.-L· e..... l ..4....:....,"'5-0- 0- X a.J.~..;;..~.JEa
ch
......p--)............ round at the start of the construct's turn, roll a d6.

On a result of 4-6, the construct, the characters, and any

j other creatures are teleported from their current location
SETUP to some other area of the tomb. Roll another d6 and con-
Acererak Construct (A) suit the table.

\"'hen the true crypt has risen from beneath the f1oor, d6 location·
area 32 is filled with a sealed mithral vault that separates Chamber of Three Chests (area 7)
it from area 31 once more. 2 Chapel of Evil (area 9)
3 Chamber of Mists (area 18)
A new wall of8leamin8 mithral stands where the old wall 4 Pillared Throne Room (area 23)
sunk down. A door is set in the wall, and an inset rin8 5 False Treasure Chamber (area 29)
han8s at its center. 6 Crypt (area 32)
• If the die roll indicates that the combatants are teleported
A DC 18 Strength check allows a character to pull the to the same area they are currently in, roll again.
heavy door open. Beyond is the crypt ofAcererak and the
final challenge of the tomb. After each teleportation, the Acererak construct appears in
Treasure: Treasure scattered across the f100r of the midair in a square ofits choice in the rough center of the
crypt is the first thing the characters see. This includes new area. The characters appear in random unoccupied
the follOWing: squares vvithin the chamber. (Have each player drop a d20
onto the center of the battlemap. Whichever square the die
• All items from any characters teleported nude within
is nearest to the center of when it stops is the character's
the tomb.
starting place.) The construct then makes an attack against
·50 small gems (10 gp each). each creature within the area as a free action: +16 vs. Ref1ex;
• 4 large gems (200 gp each). the construct slides the target 1 square and knocks it prone.
• Potions or elixirs oflevellO or lower, worth a total of Summoned creatures, companions, familiars, and so on
1,700 gpo are teleported with the characters. Conjurations and zones
end when the characters teleport away from an area.
• A +3 rod offirst blood.
This teleportation effect ends when the Acererak construct
• A + 3 banishin8 spellblade lon8sword (AV2 ] 6). is first bloodied. From that point on, the combat finishes
within the area in which the combatants last teleported.
A stone dais on the far side ofthe chamber holds a jeweled
skull that sits amid bone shards and dust. Its eyes are blood­
red rubies, and its teeth are set with diamonds.

The Acererak construct takes the form of a jeweled skull sit­

ting in the dust of the demilich's bones. If the treasure in the
crypt is touched, or if the characters linger here for 5 rounds,
the construct becomes aware of their presence and attacks.

On the far side ofthe crypt, dust swirls as the jeweled skull
rises into the air. Slowly, it turns from side to side, apprais­
ing you as it prepares to attack.

CLOSE QUARTERS
Remembering the fight with the lich construct in area 14,
the characters are likely to qUickly assess the challenge of
i fighting in the close confines of the crypt. However, Acer­
i
I
erak 's magiC makes this fight a different kind of challenge.
,!
Acererak Construct Level 13 Solo Artillery
Tiny natural animate (homunculus. undead) XP 4 .000
DEVELOPMENT
Initiative +9 Senses Perception +13; darkvision The destruction of the demilich earns the characters the
Intruding Terror (Fear) aura 1; enemies within the aura take a -1 major quest XP for this second hal f of the adventure.
penalty to attack rolls. Treasure: In addition to the treasure noted above, the
HP 600; Bloodied 300 destruction of the Acererak construct leaves the skull's
AC 18; Fortitude 19. Refle" 16, Will 15
gems. Its two ruby eyes are worth 1,450 gp each; the six
Immune disease, poison, sleep; Resist 1 0 necrotic, 10 psychic;
Vulnerable 5 radiant
diamonds that were its teeth are worth 250 gp each. (Four
Saving Throws +5 of these diamonds are soul gems; see the sidebar for the
Speed fly 10 (hover) fate of souls trapped in them.)
Action Points 2
@ Shadow Ray (standard; at·will) + Necrotic
Ranged 10; +18 vs . Reflex; 2d8 + 6 necrotic damage.
::rTwin Rays (standard; at·will)
FATE OF DRA1NED SOULS
The Acererak construct makes two shadow ray attacks. When a victim of the drain soul attack fails its second saving
::rDrain Soul (standard; recharge ~ li.Ij) throw, the victim's soul is trapped in one of the construct's
Ranged 5; does not provoke opportunity attacks; ...18 vs. Fortitude; skull's gems. The soul's former body crumbles into dust at
the target is dazed and restrained (save ends both). First Failed the end of the creature's next turn. If the skull is destroyed,
Savina Throw: The target is instead stunned and restrained (save each creature trapped in a gem is targeted by an attack:
ends both). Second Failed Savina Throw: The target dies, and its
+ 18 vs. Will; the soul is destroyed. On a miss, the soul
soul is trapped in one of the Acererak construct's soulaems until
the construct is destroyed; see also consume soul and the "Fate of
remains intact but is trapped in a gem. If a target's soul
Drained Souls" sidebar. remains intact within a gem, then the gem glows with a
<~ Soul Shriveling Pulse (immediate reaction, when a creature fails a faint inner light and reveals an image of a tiny figure inside
saving throw against drain soul; at·will) + Fear, Necrotic it. Characters can use this gem as part of the Raise Dead
Close burst 5; +18 vs. Will; 2d6 + 4 necrotic damage, and the target ritual, reducing the component cost by half. Characters can
takes a -1 penalty to saving throws (save ends). bring back a target whose soul is destroyed by the Raise
Guard Area
Dead ritual.
An Acererak construct can use its drain soul power against any crea·
ture in the crypt (area 32), even if the power hasn't recharged.
Consume Soul (minor; expends a trapped soul; recharge [l]) + FEATURES OF THE AREA
Healing
Ceiling: The ceilings are arched and are 20 feet high
The Acererak construct regains 150 hit points.
in the middle. They are 10 feet high along the walls.
Soul Gems
The Acererak construct's four soulaems can each hold the soul of One Illumination: None.
of its victims . At the beginning of the encounter, the soulaems are Treasure Piles: Areas of piled treasure are
empty. difficult terrain .
Alignment Evil languages - Dais: The stone dais is 3 feet
__~~~;~;~~;~~
Str 14(+8) De" 17 (+9) Wis 14(+8)
high and provides
Con 18(+10) Int 12 (+7) Cha 21 (+11)
cover. It takes 1
extra square of
TACTICS movement to hop
The Acererak construct uses drain soul up on the dais .
as often as it can, staying in the thick of
combat to maximize its soulshrive!ina
pulse. It makes twin ray attacks while it
waits for drain soul to recharge .
Acererak created this area's magi·
cal teleport effect to throw would·be
tomb raiders off guard and to take a
final revenge against characters who
have made it this far by avoiding the
tomb's deadlier traps. The Acererak
construct knows the tomb and takes
full advantage ofits features and
effects. For example, in the chamber
of three chests, it attempts to slide
characters into any unopened chests.
In the pillared throne room, it
moves characters into the pillars to
levitate them out of the fight.
 BEYOND THE TOMB
This ends the expedition to the Tomb ofHorrors. vVe hope
you and your players will havefound it excitina, challena­
in8, and rewardina.
One way or another, the Tomb of Horrors marks your
campaign's progression into the paragon tier. If the Acere­
rak construct has fallen to the characters' bravery, word of
this accomplishment qUickly spreads from Skull City into
the wider world. However, even if the heroes ultimately
failed at their quest to break Acererak's power, they might
have gained a sense of purpose even more valuable in the
long term.
In the h eroic tier, conflicts and adventure hooks are
frequently local and small-scale. However, to succeed in
the paragon tier and beyond, characters must learn that
defeating evil such as Acererak's is the task of a lifetime,
not simply of a Single adventure. Those who survive the
tomb will be stronger because of it-driven by the memory
of the companions lost and the challenges faced there.
Whatever its outcome, this adventure can play into the
development of your campaign. Regardless of the party's
success, the leaders of the Bleak Academy maintain faith
in their lord and his unknowable plans as long as the tomb
still physically stands. However, for the sheer temerity of
having survived it, the characters might find themselves
targeted by necromancers, assassins, vampires, and intel­
ligent undead that seek to complete the sacrifice their
master has been denied.
Beyond the Bleak Academy, who knows what fresh plots
you might be inspired to hatch on Acererak's behalf? The
demilich's ultimate goals are revea led in the upcoming
Tomb ofHorrors super· adventure, but in your campaign,
that ad venture can bu ild on the outcome of this one. A
different generation of heroes can take up the final fight
against Acererak, but they will know the names of the
heroes who came before them-the characters who braved
the peril of this Tomb of Horrors and set the stage for that
final showdown.
i Now they get to find out how little that matters.
i
I
,!
AUTHOR'S NOTE
As clever players will gather from a reading of the Legend
of the Tomb, this dungeon has more tricks and traps than
it has monsters to fight. THIS IS A THINKING PERSON'S
MODULE, AND IF YOUR GROUP IS A HACK AND SLAY
GATHERING, THEY WILL BE Ul\lHAPPYl
Tomb of Horrors had been around for a while when we first
played it, but its dark reputation had passed us by. We
were an isolated enclave of high-school gamers, mainlining
AD&D in our small corner of the Canadian hinterland with
no lifeline to the rest of the hobby. We knew Gary Gygax's
twisted imagination, of course, from Hommlet and Bar­
rier Peaks and the meat-grinder that was the giants-drow
series. Though we all DMed in a kind of chaotic rotation,
it was Dave who'd run most of the Gygax canon, and who
prepped the tomb for us that night in 1981. As a result, we
were pretty sure we knew what we were in for.
On Dave's face as we started, I remember a smile I'd
never seen before. . . .
We were ready, though. We were savvy. We were the
"thinking persons" that Gygax spoke of in the module's
introduction-the slacker core of our high school's geek
elite. We were methodical. We were paranoid as all hell.
We were confident.
And we died. Badly. Over and over and over again.
The body count in that first session was beyond com­
prehension. My character was one of the few survivors,
swearing oaths of vengeance with all the rest as we bank­
rupted ourselves paying for group-rate resurrections-and
then went back for more.
Success came slowly, built on perseverance and blind
luck and sheer "Do nothing; touch nothingl" terror. Victory
and the destruction ofthe demilich came finally in the form
of one of those tedious campaign stories you really don't
want to hear. But the larger point is that for those of us
who kept coming back to it, the tomb was a challenge like
nothing we'd ever played before.
This was an adventure in which it wasn't enough for your
character to be the best at what he or she did. To survive
the tomb, you-the player, the person behind the character
sheet-had to be even better.
This adventure isn't a new work based on or inspired by the
original. This is Tomb of Horrors-sharpened, not blunted, by
the 4th Edition rules. There are some changes, to be sure.
Those who know the original will hopefully find at least a
few surprises herein. But the heart of this updating of Gary
Gygax's masterwork is the raw ingenuity and sense of ever­
impending doom that made the original Tomb what it was.
Your players already know how good their characters are.
-Scott Fitzgerald Gray